Management of the cancer patient with fever and prolonged neutropenia.

Cancer patients who suffer prolonged durations of fever and neutropenia are at high risk for developing serious infections. This article reviews the initial management of these fevers, subsequent modifications of the initial empirical regimens (both empirical changes in the antibiotic regimen and those changes directed at specific sites of infection that may become apparent during the course of prolonged neutropenia), and the potential impact of hematopoietic cytokines on future management of prolonged fever and neutropenia.