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Do you routinely incorporate G-CSF with chemo if you experience neutropenia after the first cycle of chemotherapy?

For instance, carboplatin/etoposide in extensive-stage SCLC
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Medical Oncology · University of Wisconsin
Answered on

I am a GI oncologist, but I would say I have two approaches. One is to use prophylactic GCSF or similar agents upfront with cycle 1 with regimens with high rates of myelosuppression (20% or higher rates of neutropenic fever), like FOLFIRINOX or FOLFOXIRI/bevacizumab. The other approach I have is to use it after neutropenia causes dose delays after cycle 1 in patients with curable disease. If the intent of treatment is not cure, I would prefer a dose reduction over GCSF to maximize quality of life (there are a lot of symptoms from GCSF). Of course, a dose reduction is required if there is also significant thrombocytopenia along with the neutropenia causing dose delay or bleeding. There is a good ASCO guideline about this here Smith et al., P...

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