Management of the Jehovah's Witness Oncology Patient: Perspective of the Transfusion Service

Abstract

Due to refusal of blood component transfusions, Jehovah's Witness patients with cancer present a challenge to oncologists who must find appropriate and acceptable treatments. In order to assess the morbidity and mortality that these patients suffer, a retrospective review was conducted of all 58 Jehovah's Witness patients treated at our center from October 1986 through February 1994. This study showed that (1) younger Jehovah's Witness patients or their parents were more likely to accept blood transfusion than older Jehovah's Witness patients, (2) considerable risk of acute morbidity and mortality occurred in patients who refused blood when blood transfusions were indicated, and (3) long-term prognosis may be worsened for some Jehovah's Witness patients due to limited treatment provided in those with anemia or with anticipated anemia.