Usefulness of the MASCC scale in the management of neutropenic fever induced by chemotherapy in patients with solid neoplasm

Background and objectives: We aimed to describe chemotherapy-induced neutropenic fever (NF) in patients with solid neo plasms (SN), to validate the Multinational Association of Support Treatmentin Cancer MASCC) scale, and to evaluate whether the use of the MASCC scale was useful for reducing hospital costs for this oncologicem ergency and improving the quality of life. Patients and method: We performed a prospective study on the incidence of chemotherapy-induced NF from December 2005 to November 2006 and calculated the sensitivity and specificity of the MASCC scale.We compared different parameters before and after (periods 1 and 2) the inclusion of the MASCC scale. Results: We included 80 episodes of NF, 48.8% being of low risk. The sensitivity and the specificity of the MASCC scale were 86.3% (19/22) and 62% (26/58), respectively. 16 patients were discharged early(≤3 days). Hospital costs were significantly lower during period 2. Conclusions: The MASCC scale is a safe tool for stratifying the risk of cancer patients and chemothe-rapy-induced NF. However, greater specificity would allow a greater reductionin hospital costs and improve the quality of life of these patients. © 2008 Elsevier España, S.L.