[Infectious diseases in patients with solid tumors]

In malignant diseases the prognosis of tumour and the patient's quality of life are essentially influenced by the kind and severity of the immunodeficiency. The high rate of infection of up to 40% is effected by both the basic disease and the different methods of tumour therapy as well as by numerous other endogenous and exogenous factors. Especially the myelosuppressive effect of cytostatics favours the lowered defense mechanism. Hence severe infections stand in causal relation to almost 2/3 of all deaths caused by carcinoma. Resulting from these facts it is necessary to have a tight antimicrobiological regime and to carry out a specific prophylaxis of infection in oncology. Already the first symptoms of an opportunistic infection make an instant and effective, but for the moment unspecific antibiotical combination therapy necessary. If this therapy is not effective, an antimycotical treatment should be started. The most important parameters for a success are the quick reaching of normal body temperature and the subjective well-being of the patients. By means of a useful combination of measures of primary and secondary prevention we can succeed in stabilizing the defense mechanism of tumour patients and minimizing the risk of infections.