Certified Specialist In Oncology Nutrition (CSO) Practice Exam

Which statement about iron management in cancer patients with inflammation is correct?

IV iron supplementation is preferred in inflammatory cancer contexts. Oral iron is always preferred over IV iron. Vitamin D deficiency is corrected with calcium alone. B12 deficiency is never seen in cancer patients.

Correct Answer:

IV iron supplementation is preferred in inflammatory cancer contexts.

Explanation:

Inflammation raises hepcidin, which blocks iron absorption in the gut and traps iron in storage sites, leading to functional iron deficiency in cancer. Oral iron often cannot overcome this blockade and may cause GI side effects, while intravenous iron bypasses the gut and rapidly replenishes iron stores. For cancer patients with inflammation, IV iron is therefore the more reliable and quicker option to correct iron deficiency. The other statements don’t fit: oral iron isn’t always preferred in inflammatory contexts, vitamin D deficiency isn’t fixed by calcium alone, and B12 deficiency can occur in cancer patients.

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