Chemotherapy Induced Neutropenia in Veterinary Medicine - What Can We Learn from the Human Experience

摘要

Chemotherapy induced neutropenia (CIN) is a frequent consequence of chemotherapy administration in veterinary oncology. In most cases CIN is clinically silent, detected on blood work but without any accompanying symptoms. However occasionally CIN canbecome clinically relevant, accompanied by fever and/or infection. The impact of CIN on a patient may be mild without any need for medical intervention, or more severe resulting in prolonged hospitalization or even death. Despite the frequency of CIN andthe potential complications that can occur as a result, there is little to no consensus in veterinary medicine as to how to approach, manage, and treat these patients. The primary objective of this discussion is to evaluate the classification and management of CIN in human patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and extrapolate how this information may assist us in veterinary oncology.