ABSTRACT

The risk of developing an infection in patients with genitourinary tract malignancy arise from a host of factors such as 1) tumor encroachment and invasion of adjacent structures; 2) tumor necrosis; 3) complications arising from antineoplastic chemotherapy; 4) early and late effects of abdomiopelvic radiation therapy; 5) surgical tumor excision and removal of internal organs; 6) structural abnormalities resulting from surgical diversion procedures; and 7) other causes that disrupt protective barriers in urinary and female reproductive tract. The spectrum of causative organisms most frequently arise from patients’ endogenous microflora. The vagina, lower urinary and intestinal tract colonization with bacteria and yeast serves as important sources for infection. The normal aerobic and anaerobic vaginal bacterial flora may be altered in patients undergoing antineoplastic therapy. Among factors that influence changes in colonization includes, hormonal dysfunction, frequent exposure to broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, antineoplastic therapy, hospitalization and instrumentation. Peritonitis, intraabdominal abscess, complicated urinary tract infection, surgical wound infection, skin and soft tissue infection such as cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, clostridial myonecrosis, and septic pelvic thrombophlebitis are important infectious complications encountered in patients with genitourinary tract malignancies.