Optimal Management of Neutropenic Fever in Patients With Cancer

J Oncol Pract. 2019 Jan;15(1):19-24. doi: 10.1200/JOP.18.00269.

Abstract

Febrile neutropenia remains an important complication of treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy. It is often the first and sometimes the only sign or symptom of infection in this vulnerable patient population. Urgent and appropriate evaluation and treatment are imperative because delay in initiating appropriate antibiotic therapy may be life threatening. Selection of antibiotics should be based on the patient's symptoms, previous culture data, and institutional antibiograms. Ongoing therapy should be guided by culture and clinical data. Antimicrobial resistance is of great concern, particularly in this population, so careful attention to antibiotic selection and duration is needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Chemotherapy-Induced Febrile Neutropenia / drug therapy*
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents