HAEMATOLOGICAL CANCER Prophylactic platelet transfusion is frequently not necessary

A randomized trial compared prophylactic platelet transfusion with transfusion given when bleeding occurred. Decreased platelet usage was noted in the therapeutic transfusion group with a very low incidence of significant bleeding in recipients of autologous transplants. This finding indicates that a 'no-prophylaxis' approach is acceptable in such patients. However, prophylactic platelet transfusion should continue to be the standard in leukaemia patients receiving induction chemotherapy.