Incidence of febrile neutropenia with commonly used chemotherapy regimen in localized breast cancer

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among the women. Most commonly used chemotherapy regimen is Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (AC) which carries significant risk of febrile neutropenia. The aim of the study is to identify the incidence of febrile neutropenia and its effects on the delivery of chemotherapy in patients receiving following AC chemoregimen without primary prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the case records of the localized breast cancer patients who were treated with AC chemoregimen without primary prophylaxis for febrile neutropenia. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2017, a total of 231 cases received AC chemoregimen. A total of 14 (6.1%) patients were found to have febrile neutropenia. All patients were recovered by day 19 and no deaths were observed. Except for ECOG performance status (P = 0.001) no significant association was found with age, co-morbidities, menopausal status, body surface area and stage of the cancer. There were no treatment delays or dose reductions because of febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSION: The incidence of FN with AC chemotherapy in breast cancer patients is relatively less in the present study. Routine primary prophylaxis is not recommended as this chemotherapy falls in to low risk category for FN but can be considered for patients with ECOG PS > 1. If the diagnosis of febrile neutropenia and institution of appropriate measures are prompt, FN did not affect the delivery of chemotherapy and thus compromise survival.