Febrile neutropenia in patients with hematological malignancies - definition, diagnosis and management

Intensive chemotherapy/radiotherapy in cancer, especially with hematologic malignancies, causes cellular injury and suppression of inflammatory responses, which increase the risks neutropenia febrile episodes. Absolute neutrophil count < 1 ? 109/L is considered neutropenia, absolute 0.5 or that expected to decrease next 48 hours severe while 0.1 109 referred as profound neutropenia. Febrile episodes are usually defined oral temperature > 38.3?C two consecutive readings 38.0?C lasting more than hour. Although there possibility non-infection-caused most caused by infections. a clinical emergency requires prompt management. Despite advances therapy recent years, remains common complication chemotherapy causing serious results, including death. The administration empirical antibacterial has been successful management since its launching 50 years ago. wide application broad-spectrum antibiotics effectively decreased mortality patients. Neutropenic patients who remain despite 4-7 days at high risk invasive fungal infection. Empirical antifungal Amphotericin B Caspofungin persistently neutropenic other high-risk shown reduce infection - 80% infection-related 23- 45%. Lipid formulations improve therapeutic ratio traditional formulation available