[Patient treated with chemotherapy. Alarm signs requiring immediate intervention]

The most common complications in patients receiving chemotherapy are neutropenia with fever, and infections. The risk-adapted application of antibodies, antimycotics and G-CSF is discussed. Nausea and vomiting can usually be avoided by appropriate prophylactic antiemetic treatments. Less common are thrombocytopenia requiring replacement treatment. The frequent anemias associated with tumor treatment have a multifactorial genesis. Red cell concentrates and, where indicated, erythropoietin are available. Typical organ-related side effects of cytostatic agents are rare, but then usually serious. Problems with veins may be resolved with "undertunneled" central venous catheters or completely implanted port systems.