Intravenous iron sucrose (+/- erythropoetin) versus oral iron for correction of post-operative anaemia in women with gynaecological malignancies

INTERVENTION: Randomised controlled trial: 1. Group O will receive a 6 week course of oral iron therapy 2. Group I will receive a 200 mg intravenous dose of iron sucrose 3. Group E will receive a 200 mg dose of iron sucrose followed by 200 IU/Kg epoetin alpha CONDITION: Anaemia ; Haematological Disorders ; Other anaemias PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Change in haemoglobin levels from day 1 to day 21; 2. Change in ferritin concentration ; 3. Change in transferritin; 4. Quality of life scores; 5. Post‐operative blood transfusion; 6. Length of stay SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: 45 patients in 3 groups. 1. Pre‐operative INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1.1. All patients who are due to undergo major gynae‐oncological surgery 1.2. Aged greater than 18 years 2. Post‐operative INCLUSION CRITERIA: 2.1. Iron deficiency type anaemia due to peri‐operative blood loss 2.2. Haemoglobin (Hb) less than 10 g/dl on day 1 following surgery