Chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

Chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression is the most common dose-limiting and potentially fatal complication of cancer treatment. Prior attempts to lessen chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression have been minimally effective. The new hematopoietic growth factors show promise, especially for patients requiring intensely myelotoxic chemotherapy. However, a cautious approach should be used with growth factors because their clinical uses and how best to apply each use needs to be defined.