Neutropenia in Cancer Care: Demographic and Clinical Characteristics at an Oncology and Hematology Center

• Ahmed Obaid

  Thi Qar oncology center, Al Habbobi Teaching Hospital, Thi Qar, Iraq.

• Mohammed Kamil Al Qayyim

  Hematology and Transplant Center (HTC center), Medical City Complex, Iraq

• Musaab Kadhim Alabboodi

  Medical Oncology Department, Alamal National Hospital for Cancer Treatment, Baghdad, Iraq

Neutropenia, a prevalent and potentially lethal complication of cancer and its treatment, has been shown to markedly elevate the risk of infection and mortality in oncology patients. The objective of this study was to characterize the demographic and clinical profiles of neutropenic patients admitted to the Oncology Teaching Hospital, Alamal National Hospital for Cancer Treatment, and Hematology and Transplant Center (HTC). In this prospective cross-sectional study, data from 98 neutropenic patients were analyzed, focusing on demographic information, type of cancer, neutropenia severity, and the frequency of various clinical signs and symptoms. The analysis revealed a predominance of females (68.4%), patients over 50 years of age (75.5%), and individuals with hematological malignancies (81%). Moderate neutropenia was the most prevalent severity, with a prevalence of 68.4%. Mucositis, a common complication of chemotherapy, was the most frequently reported clinical sign, with a prevalence of 58% among patients. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the neutropenic patient population in this specific clinical setting, which can inform targeted management strategies and improve patient outcomes.

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