G-CSF in solid tumor chemotherapy: a tailored regimen reduces febrile neutropenia, treatment delays and direct costs.

Background: Current guidelines do not recommend G-CSF for patients with risk factors for neutropenia.

Material/methods: One-hundred patients undergoing chemotherapy were randomized to treatment with G-CSF at 5 Kg/kg for established febrile neutropenia (ANC <1000/microl) (Group A) or G-CSF at 263 Kg/day if ANC was 1500/microl or less on the day of the expected nadir, with the duration of treatment determined by the severity of neutropenia (Group B).

Results: The number of doses of G-CSF was similar in the two groups.

Cardiotoxicity following different doses and schedules of 5-fluorouracil administration for malignancy -- a survey of 427 patients.

Background: Although cardiotoxicity associated with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) administration is infrequent, there are case reports of acute coronary syndromes. We report on patients undergoing 5-FU chemotherapy who developed cardiac symptoms during its administration.

Material/methods: In patients receiving 5-FU who experienced cardiac-related symptoms, ECG and serum cardiac enzyme determination were performed.