• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Transfusion News
  • About Us
  • Topics
    • Adverse Events (non-infectious)
    • Blood Donation
    • Cell Therapy
    • Coagulation & Plasma Transfusion
    • Platelet Transfusion
    • Policy and Guidelines
    • Quality Control and Regulatory
    • RBC Transfusion
    • Serology/Genotyping
    • Special Transfusion Situations
    • Transfusion Transmitted Infections
  • Continuing Education
  • Archives
  • Podcasts
  • Question of the Day
  • Search
  • Subscribe to Email Alerts
  • Follow us on
  • Search
  • Subscribe to Email Alerts

Clinical Guidelines for Platelet Transfusions in Patients with Cancer

December 13, 2017

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has updated the clinical guidelines for platelet transfusions in patients with cancer. ASCO recommends prophylactic platelet transfusion for all patients undergoing autologous stem-cell transplantation and pediatric patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplants.  The most significant change from the original guidelines published in 2001 pertains to adult cancer patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplants.  The ASCO now recommends platelet transfusions at the first sign of bleeding for these patients instead of prophylactically based on data from randomized controlled trials.  Further recommendations include a threshold of <10 X 109/L for prophylactic platelet transfusions in patients with solid tumors, approaches to prevent Rh alloimmunization, and monitoring for refractoriness to platelet transfusions in cancer patients.  Studies addressing thresholds for prophylactic platelet transfusions and the safety of invasive procedures in cancer patients with thrombocytopenia would help to strengthen platelet transfusion guidelines in these areas.

Reference:

  1. Schiffer CA, Bohlke K, Delaney M, et al. Platelet transfusion for patients with cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2017; DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2017.76.1734 – published online before print November 28, 2017

Filed Under

  • News
  • Platelet Transfusion

Recommended

  • Should Platelet Donors be Paid?

  • Costs are High for Administrating Blood Transfusions

  • Hypoxic Storage Helps to Preserve Red Blood Cells

Show Comments

Comments on this article are closed.

Get the latest news. Subscribe to our mailing list. Sign Up

Primary Sidebar

Latest News

  • Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution Does Not Reduce RBC Transfusions

  • Blood Donation Teams—a Novel Strategy to Support Novice Donors

  • Plasma Exchange to Reduce Biological Age

  • New Guidelines for Platelet Transfusion Recommend Restrictive Strategies

    Question of the Day

    Copyright © 2025 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Privacy Policy

    Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies Wiley