[Nosocomial infections in cancerology]

Although not specific, nosocomial infections are particularly common in patients with solid tumor. Chemotherapy-induced time periods of aplasia are usually of short duration and less important than those induced in patients with blood tumor. Recent changes regarding cancer therapy are determining factors in regard to nosocomial infections: patients are treated in day hospitals that must conform to the strictest prevention norms; most of the patients have an indwelling venous catheter for months, which may therefore be at the origin of an infection. Prevention and education of the nursing staff within the context of a heavy workload must be a priority, requiring efforts from everyone in the medical team.