[Initial management of febrile neutropenia]

Despite major advances in prevention and treatment, febrile neutropenia remains one of the most concerning complications of cancer chemotherapy. Its prognosis depends directly on the quality of the initial management in the emergency department (ED). An initial assessment of circulatory and respiratory function, with vigorous resuscitation where necessary, should be followed by careful examination for potential source of infection. A broad-spectrum empirical antibacterial therapy should be given in a timespan < 1 hour. Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) criteria were developed to help physicians make decisions about the site of care and overall management of these patients.