Introduction

Febrile neutropenia occurs when a patient has a fever and a significant reduction in their white blood cells (neutropenia) that are needed to fight infections. Many patients when undergoing cancer treatment will have a reduction in their white blood cells that may be temporary or may persist for some time. The fever may be caused by an infectious agent, and when it is rapid treatment is required. A patient with febrile neutropenia needs assessment for the possible source and type of infection and treatment until the cause is found or it subsides.

When a febrile cancer patient presents at a health care centre they will first be assessed for the presence of fever and neutropenia by taking the temperature and doing blood tests to determine the number of white blood cells present. If the patient has febrile neutropenia then cultures and more blood tests will be taken to try to determine the presence and possible site of any infections. A decision will have to be made by the physician as to whether the patient should be admitted to a health care facility for observation and treatment. This decision will be based on the clinical state of the patient and the predicted length of the lowered white blood cell counts. Whether the patient is admitted or not treatment will usually include the use of antibiotics.

More information concerning the evaluation and management of patients can be obtained from the following links:

1. Solid Tumour/Lymphoma
2. Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant
3. Pediatric
4. Patient information on Neutropenia