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Antibiotics during entire chemo standard?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Gafdotcalm: Is it standard to be on antibiotics during the entire duration of chemotherapy?
Answer —Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P.: Some people use what are known as prophylactic antibiotics during certain periods of the chemotherapy cycle. It is sometimes done from days five to 15 of a chemotherapy cycle with the goal of preventing infectious complications. The jury is still out on how effective this approach is, and with better use of growth factor support (Neulasta [chemical name: pegfilgrastim] and Neupogen [chemical name: filgrastim]) there may be less need for these antibiotics. In my practice, I don't traditionally use suppressive antibiotics, although every case has to be individualized.

On Wednesday, December 21, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2005. Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. brought you the highlights of the 2005 Breast Cancer Symposium and answered your questions about the latest diagnostic and treatment options for breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.PGenerosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. is the director of the Cooper Cancer Institute and heads the division of hematology/medical oncology at Cooper University Hospital.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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