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Review
. 2021 Jan;37(1):69-84.
doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2020.09.001. Epub 2020 Nov 1.

Infectious Disease Complications in Patients with Cancer

Susan K Seo  1 , Catherine Liu  2 , Sanjeet S Dadwal  3
Affiliations
Review

Infectious Disease Complications in Patients with Cancer

Susan K Seo et al. Crit Care Clin. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Critically ill patients with cancer are vulnerable to infections because of the underlying malignancy, tumor-directed therapy, immunosuppression, breaches in mucosa or skin, malnutrition, and other factors. Neutropenia remains the most important risk factor for infection. Infectious complications occurring in critically ill patients with cancer can affect the bloodstream, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, urinary tract, and the skin. Pneumonias are the leading cause of infection in patients with cancer admitted to the intensive care unit. Consideration of opportunistic pathogens in the differential diagnosis is important in patients with impaired cellular and/or humoral immunity or compromised splenic function.

Keywords: Cancer; Critical care; Immunocompromised; Infection; Neutropenia; Sepsis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose.

References

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