Malignancies and thalassemia: a review of the literature

Thalassemia is a genetic hematologic disease, characterized by a defect in hemoglobin chain synthesis. Because of safe transfusions and effective chelation therapy, survival of affected patients has significantly improved in the last few decades. However new complications are appearing. Among them are hepatocellular carcinoma and other forms of cancer, particularly hematologic malignancies. The present review focuses on the frequency of cancer in thalassemia patients and on possible predisposing factors.