Jean Klastersky1, Marianne Paesmans. 1. Institut Jules Bordet, Centre des Tumeurs de l'Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1, rue Héger-Bordet, 1000, Bruxelles, Belgium.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Invasive fungal infections, especially aspergillosis, are a major problem in patients who undergo aggressive therapy for haematological malignancies. Presently, the standard therapy for demonstrated aspergillar infection is voriconazole. Because the morbidity and the mortality of proven aspergillar infection is relatively high, empirical and preemptive approaches have been explored. FINDINGS: Empirical therapy is effective at the cost of overtreatment in a significant number of patients. This can be reduced through the preemptive approach; however, its equivalence in terms of successful therapy and mortality should be studied further and, optimally, in prospective controlled clinical trials.
RATIONALE: Invasive fungal infections, especially aspergillosis, are a major problem in patients who undergo aggressive therapy for haematological malignancies. Presently, the standard therapy for demonstrated aspergillar infection is voriconazole. Because the morbidity and the mortality of proven aspergillar infection is relatively high, empirical and preemptive approaches have been explored. FINDINGS: Empirical therapy is effective at the cost of overtreatment in a significant number of patients. This can be reduced through the preemptive approach; however, its equivalence in terms of successful therapy and mortality should be studied further and, optimally, in prospective controlled clinical trials.
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