Infectious morbidity in gynecologic cancer

A retrospective investigation of infectious morbidity in gynecologic oncology patients documented that 54 (11%) of 494 patients and 68 (6%) of 1204 patient admissions were complicated by a serious infection. The highest rate of infectious morbidity by admission was 21%, occurring in patients admitted for cancer of the vulva. The highest surgical infectious morbidity, 22%, occurred in patients admitted for cervical cancer. Important factors in determining infection risk include multiple host factors, radical surgical procedures, factors inherent in the tumor itself, and additional irradiation and chemotherapy. These serious polymicrobial infections dictate intelligent selection of antimicrobials and appropriate monitoring to anticipate complications inherent in antimicrobial therapy. beta-Lactamase induction, superinfection, nephrotoxicity, and necrotizing enterocolitis are documented problems in these patients.