Background and aims: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is the most serious 
complication of chemotherapy which requires adequate assessment and 
treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological 
pattern and clinical outcomes of chemotherapy-induced FN.
Methods: This was a single center retrospective observational study conducted 
at the Clinical Oncology Department of Assiut University Hospital Medical 
records of patients with cancer and FN were reviewed from January 2018 to 
December 2022.
Results: The incidence of FN was 3.8%. A total of 152 patients were included 
with a mean age of 51 years and 71% were females. Most patients (92%) had 
solid malignancies. It occurs most frequently (86.8%) during the first 3 cycles of 
chemotherapy. Twenty-two patients (14.5%) had a high risk Multinational 
Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score, and 23 patients 
(15%) received primary prophylaxis. Twenty patients (13.2%) and 60 patients 
(39.5%) required chemotherapy dose reduction and cycle delay respectively. 
Twenty-two patients (14.5%) needed hospitalization and 8 patients (5.3%) died 
during their admission. Baseline MASCC score (<21), long duration of FN (>4 
days), chemotherapy delay and respiratory tract infection were factors 
significantly associated with mortality.
Conclusions: This study showed that the incidence of FN was common among 
solid cancer. It occurs most frequently during the first three cycles of 
chemotherapy. Physicians should be aware of factors associated with mortality 
to provide a better monitor, management and improve the outcome of FN.