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Managing Infections in Patients With Hematological Malignancies pp 173–187Cite as

Lymphomas and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Hematology ((CH))

Abstract

Many solid tumor cancer patients are considered to be at “low-risk” for developing complications even during episodes of neutropenic fever and are routinely managed without hospitalization. Low-risk subsets are now being recognized in patients with hematologic malignancies (CLL/lymphomas) as well. The spectrum of infection in most of these patients is different from that seen in neutropenic patients, with fungal, viral, and bacterial infections primarily associated with defects in cellular immunity predominating. With improvements in supportive care and infusion technology, and the availability of many anti-infective agents for parenteral and oral administration, outpatient management of low-risk patients with hematologic malignancies is being practiced with increasing frequency. This approach has several advantages and very few disadvantages but does require substantial initial investment in infrastructure by individual institutions. Nevertheless, it is an investment well worth making by institutions that care for cancer patients, as cancer survivorship continues to rise.

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  1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Kenneth V. I. Rolston M.D.

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Correspondence to Kenneth V. I. Rolston M.D. .

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  1. School of Medicine, University of Maryland, S. Greene St. 22, Baltimore, 21201, U.S.A.

    Michael Kleinberg

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© 2009 Humana Press

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Rolston, K.V.I. (2009). Lymphomas and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. In: Kleinberg, M. (eds) Managing Infections in Patients With Hematological Malignancies. Contemporary Hematology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-415-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-415-5_6

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