Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

What is a significant benefit of using utility of erythropoietin in cancer treatment?

1. It completely cures anemia

2. It can reduce the need for blood transfusions

3. It enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy

4. It lowers the risk of metastasis

The correct answer is: It can reduce the need for blood transfusions

Using erythropoietin in cancer treatment primarily provides a valuable benefit by reducing the need for blood transfusions. Cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy, often experience anemia due to the disease or the effects of treatment. Erythropoietin stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, which can alleviate symptoms of anemia and improve a patient’s overall quality of life. By enhancing red blood cell production, erythropoietin helps maintain higher hemoglobin levels, thereby minimizing the necessity for transfusions, which can have associated risks and complications. In contrast, the other choices present statements that do not accurately reflect the primary role of erythropoietin. For instance, while it may improve anemia, it does not completely cure it, nor does it enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy directly or lower the risk of metastasis. Therefore, the significant benefit of erythropoietin lies in its capacity to reduce the reliance on blood transfusions in anemic cancer patients.