Febrile neutropenia - An oncological emergency

Abstract

Cytotoxic chemotherapies for the treatment of malignancy vary significantly in their side effect profiles. Patient and community perceptions of these side effects focus predominantly on alopecia and emesis while the medical profession focuses on the significant side effect of myelosuppression and the subsequent risk of infection. Febrile neutropenia is the most common life-threatening complication of chemotherapy, which requires prompt assessment and commencement of broad-spectrum antibiotics.