Fever and Neutropenia Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

Substantial improvements have occurred in the management of infectious disease in patients with cancer. It is now unusual for patients with acute leukemia who receive their initial induction chemotherapy at a major center to die of infectious complications. Many patients will undergo further therapy that leads to prolonged periods of neutropenia without succumbing to a major infectious complication. However, managing infections in neutropenic patients remains a dynamic process, affected by the appearance of new pathogens, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms, and the improved stratification of patients' infection risk. All of these factors have fostered new treatment approaches. These NCCN clinical guidelines address many of the day-to-day issues inherent in managing fever and neutropenia. For the most recent version of the guidelines, please visit NCCN.org