SEOM clinical guidelines for myeloid growth factors

Neutropenia induced by chemotherapy (CT) is an infection risk factor associated to greater morbidity/mortality and dose-limiting toxicity that on many occasions requires a reduction of the dose of cytostatics or a delay in the administration of treatment. This may have a negative effect on the patient's quality of life and even diminish the efficacy of the treatment, especially when the intention is to cure or prolong survival. Management of treatment or prophylaxis of grade 3–4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia with myeloid growth factors (CSF) varies very much in clinical practice, both in the time of starting treatment and the types of patients it is given to. The need to generalise and facilitate practice based on clinical evidence has led the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) to prepare clinical practice guidelines on the use of myeloid growth factors.