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Original Research | Oncology Science | Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026 | Pages: 1938 - 1940 | India
Etiological Profile of Pancytopenia in a Regional Cancer Centre: A Prospective Study
Abstract: Introduction: Pancytopenia, the reduction of all peripheral blood lineages, arises from different etiologies, ranging from reversible nutritional deficiencies to life-threatening hematological malignancies. In a cancer care setting, its prompt evaluation is critical for diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment. The aim of this study was to elucidate the causes and clinical spectrum of pancytopenia in patients presenting to a regional cancer centre. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted over six months (July 2023 to December 2023) at the Department of Medical Oncology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. A total of 102 adult patients (>15 years) with pancytopenia (Hb <10g/dl, TLC <4000/μL, Platelets <100,000/μL) were enrolled. Patients with prior chemotherapy/radiotherapy or relapsed malignancies were excluded. All patients underwent detailed clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations, imaging, and bone marrow aspiration/biopsy. Results: The mean age was 41.75 ± 17.2 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1.12:1. The most common presenting symptoms were easy fatigability (61%) and fever (56%). Hematological malignancies constituted the majority of cases (90%). Acute leukemias were the leading cause (71%), with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML, 33%) being most prevalent, followed by Aplastic Anemia (7%), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (6%), and Lymphoma (6%). Solid malignancies with bone marrow infiltration (5%) and Megaloblastic Anemia (2%) were less common. Bone marrow examination was diagnostic in all cases of malignancy and aplastic anemia. Conclusion: In a tertiary cancer care setting, pancytopenia is most frequently a manifestation of an underlying hematological malignancy, predominantly acute leukemia. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, supplemented with immunohistochemistry and cytogenetics, are indispensable tools for accurate diagnosis, in cases of unexplained cytopenias, and are crucial for guiding appropriate management and prognostication.
Keywords: Pancytopenia, Etiology, Bone Marrow Examination, Acute Leukemia, Hematological Malignancy, Cancer Centre
How to Cite?: Dr. Deepa Aggarwal, Dr. Linu Abraham Jacob, Dr. Ganesh Reddy, Dr. Lokesh K N, Dr. Rudresh A H, Dr. Rajeev L K, "Etiological Profile of Pancytopenia in a Regional Cancer Centre: A Prospective Study", Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1938-1940, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26429175706, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26429175706