Developments in the management of febrile neutropenia

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the most serious complications of chemotherapy. Recent advances in its management have included prevention with prophylactic antibiotics and growth factors, improvement in the management of the septic patient and the development of risk stratification systems aiming to identify those patients at high risk of complications and allowing clinicians to tailor therapy appropriately. However, despite these, FN remains the cause of significant morbidity and mortality, with healthcare resource implications (Kuderer et al, 2006). Research therefore continues in attempt to reduce the impact of this condition.