title: A prospective study of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in the South West London Cancer Network. Interpretation of study results in light of NCAG/NCEPOD findings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia is a medical emergency complicating the treatment of many cancer patients. It is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, as well as impacting on healthcare resources.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of all cases of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in the South West London Cancer Network was conducted over a 4-month period. Factors including demographics, treatment history, management of febrile neutropenia and outcome were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results reflect those of the recent National Chemotherapy Advisory Group (NCEPOD, 2008)/National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcomes and Death reports (NCAG, 2009) and highlight the need for network-wide clinical care pathways to improve outcomes in this area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okera
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dernede
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larkin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Popat
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Osuji
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oakley
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pickering
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lofts
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents