|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Management
Reviewed: December 2006
Prevention of Neutropenia
Neutropenia can be an expected side effect of cancer treatment. If you have neutropenia it may not always be possible to prevent every potential infection. However, studies have shown that good hand-washing and hygiene are the most effective ways to prevent infection.
Prevention Methods
- Wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom, sneezing etc.
- You may use a waterless cleaner if you do not have access to soap and water.
- Be sure to wash all sides of your hands - 10 seconds is a good length of time.
- Good oral care is essential - brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush after eating and before bedtime.
- Take a warm shower every day (hot showers will dry your skin) pat your skin dry (rubbing it will also cause dryness).
- Avoid people who are ill including children who have the chicken pox or measles or adults who have shingles.
- Avoid anyone who has had recent immunizations and check with your doctor before you receive any.
- If you need dental work done be sure to check with your doctor first and let your dentist know that you are receiving treatment.
- Stay away from large crowds of people until your counts have fully recovered.
- Avoid handling pet feces including fish tanks.
- Prevent constipation and avoid trauma to the skin and mucous membranes.
- A water-soluble lubricant should be used during intercourse and good hygiene should be performed immediately following intercourse. Intercourse should be avoided if severely neutropenic
Other Methods of Managing Cancer Related Neutropenia
Hematopoietic Growth Factors (Growth Factors)
Growth factors are a medication that is given either as a shot into your subcutaneous fat or into a vein through an IV. Growth factors are special proteins that can stimulate the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells, red blood cells or even platelets. They work like your own body does when it is healthy and normal. They are used to prevent neutropenia in non-myeloid malignancies after certain kinds of chemotherapy. They can also be used to prepare patients to receive stem cell transplants.
Examples of growth factors for white blood cells are G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor), GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor) and IL3 (interleukin 3). They are not used for every patient and only indicated in certain settings your oncology will discuss this with you as necessary. There are different drugs with differing properties available ( trade names Neupogea and Neulasta; your healthcare provider will determine what is best for you.
Side Effects of Growth Factors
Side effects often vary from one person to another. The most common side effects reported with growth factors are bone pain, which may be a dull ache or discomfort in the bones of the back, arms, legs or hips. This can often be relieved with acetaminophen. The pain or discomfort is usually mild and goes away once the injection or injections are completed. Sometimes the skin around the injection site can become red or itchy but this will disappear once the injection(s) are complete. Fever and chills can occur with some growth factors and you need to tell your doctor or nurse if you experience any side effects.
Neutropenic Fever
If fever develops while you are neutropenic you need to seek immediate medical attention. It could be life-threatening and should be taken very seriously. A variety of tests will need to be done to determine the source of your fever. They may include (but are not limited to) the following: urine culture, blood cultures from your arms (and from a central line if you have one) chest x-ray, and a physical exam. Broad spectrum antibiotics should be started as soon as possible.
The BC Cancer Agency maintains a database on commonly used unconventional therapies available to cancer patients.
|
|
|