Abstract
Introduction: Febrile Neutropenia is a potentially fatal complication of cancer treatment, related to higher morbidity, mortality, dose reduction or retard in chemotherapy cycles, and poor final outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated the benefit of G-CSF (Granulocyte – Colony Stimulating Factors) in reduction of hospital stay, the use of intravenous antibiotics, fever and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery. There is no data about the management and treatment response in our population.
Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study, developed in SOLCA – Cuenca Cancer Institute. 83 febrile neutropenia events met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, medical records from years 2010 to 2011 were reviewed. The analyzed variables were: days of hospital stay, fever, intravenous antibiotics use, and neutropenia recovery to a level >500/mm3 and >1000/mm3.
Results: The median of hospital stay was 6 days, the duration of IV antibiotic therapy was the same as the days of hospital stay. 79 events recovered to an ANC >500/mm3, with a median of 4 days; 72 events recovered to >1000 /mm3 with a median of 4 days. The majority of events became afebrile with a median of 1 day.
Conclusion: The results in the variables hospital stay, use of intravenous antibiotics and fever duration, were similar to those described in previous studies. The ANC recovery was delayed, showing important differences with cited references.