Quality of life and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

This report summarizes recent data on neutropenia-related quality of life (QOL), including measures and interventions. Neutropenia is a common adverse effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy. The clinical significance of QOL in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) remains largely unexplored, although recent studies have shown a correlation between severe CIN and impaired QOL. Neutropenia typically occurs at the same time as other adverse effects. Data indicate that other toxicities are worse in the presence of febrile neutropenia and that these concurrent events may have a greater effect on QOL. Precautions that are taken to minimize the incidence of infection in patients with neutropenia may also affect their QOL. Future research should focus on accurately defining and measuring QOL in patients with CIN as well as on assessing ways to manage CIN more effectively and thus improve QOL. A number of interventions may have a positive influence on QOL in patients with cancer and neutropenia. Hematopoietic growth factor support, for example, reduces the incidence and sequelae of neutropenia and may provide a QOL benefit. To assess the effect of such interventions, neutropenia-specific QOL instruments, such as the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Neutropenia (FACT-N), may be valuable tools.