Overview Article on Common Infections in Cancer Recommended
The article provides a basic review of common infections encountered in the patient with cancer. Although most oncologists are aware of the concepts outlined, this work presents a concise, organized approach to cancer patients with neutropenia, pneumonia, and CNS and GI tract infections. Highlights from the article include the following:

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  Pneumonia complicates 40% to 60% of all bone marrow transplantations (BMT) and is associated with a high mortality rate.
  
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  Pneumonia occurring in patients during the first week of neutropenia is due primarily to gram- negative bacteria (especially Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).
  
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  During the second and third week of neutropenia, fungal pneumonia predominates.
  
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  Aspergillus species represents 30% to 58% of all fungal infections.
  
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  The highest-risk groups for fungal pneumonia include those with prolonged neutropenia, those on corticosteroids, and those who have been allogeneic BMT recipients with graft-versus-host disease.
  
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  Mortality from pulmonary aspergillosis in BMT recipients approaches 99% regardless of therapy.
  
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  For those cancer patients who recover from invasive aspergillosis, 50% may relapse after subsequent myeloblative chemotherapy and should receive early reinstitution of antifungal therapy.
  
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  Rarely, mould infections of the lung can spread to the brain, with mortality approaching 100%.
  
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  Other organisms mentioned that are common in patients with cell-mediated immunity dysfunction due to steroids or tumors such as lymphomas and lymphoid leukemias include Pneumocystis carinii, Nocardia, Strongyloides, cytomegalovirus, and Toxoplasma.