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Neutropenic sepsis
Neutropenic sepsis
Neutropenic sepsis is caused by a condition known as neutropenia, in which the number of white blood cells (called neutrophils) in the blood is low. Neutrophils help the body to fight infection. People having anticancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy and more rarely radiotherapy, can be at risk of neutropenic sepsis. This is because these treatments can temporarily lower the number of neutrophils in the blood. Some anticancer treatments are more likely than others to cause a temporary period of neutropenia.
Neutropenic sepsis can be a life-threatening illness that requires urgent, emergency treatment. The medical staff may not have time to fully discuss what is involved in that treatment beforehand. In these circumstances, detailed discussions and explanations may have to wait. In an emergency, healthcare professionals may give treatment immediately, without obtaining your or your parents' or carers' informed consent, when it is in your best interests.