Management of complications: infections, autoimmunity, cytopenias

In untreated patients or in patients treated with alkylating agents, most infections are bacterial (Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli). Respiratory tract is the most frequent site of infection. Fungal and viral infections are rare and generally occur in heavily pre-treated patients; hypogammaglobulinemia and treatment-related neutropenia play a major role.