Pyrexia or fever may be a key sign that cancer has spread, especially in case of blood cancer

 Pyrexia or fever may be a key sign that cancer has spread, especially in case of blood

cancer (The Times of India: 20230224)

How fever is linked to cancer

Cancer’s ability to invade tissue is one of the main driving forces behind metastasis or the

spread of cancer to other parts of the body. An increase in your body temperature can be a

sign that a tumor is invading nearby tissue. Pyrexia is the medical term for a raised body

temperature or fever, which is a common reaction to infection or illness.

More prevalent in blood cancers

When pyrexia is present in cancer patients, it is usually a sign that cancer has spread or is

advanced. According to Cancer Research UK, “it can be very uncomfortable and cause a lot

of concern for you and those looking after you.” Pyrexia or fever is a common symptom of

all types of cancer. Some research states that this symptom is more prevalent in blood cancers

like leukemia and lymphoma.

Fever in other common cancers

Common cancers like breast cancer, lung cancer and bowel cancer are less likely to cause

fever. However, Cancer Research UK explains that a person with these cancers may also

develop fever if their tumor has spread to the liver. It may also indicate that the cancer is

causing a blockage somewhere in the body.

What causes fever?

It is not clear why some cancers cause fever more than others. One theory is that certain

diseases produce toxins, which can cause fever. According to the Roswell Park

Comprehensive Cancer Centre, pyrogens may have a role in cancer fever. “A tumor can

produce pyrogens, cause an infection that produces pyrogens, or interfere with the normal

functioning of the hypothalamus.” A pyrogen is a substance (infectious organisms or their

product toxins or cytokines) that provokes fever.Read more: MRI scan: What diseases can

this test detect?

Hot flashes and night sweats

Fever is an evident sign of inflammatory reactions taking place in the body, notes the Herald

Scholarly Open Access journal. The body may respond to fever by sweating, to help heat

escape the body. This is a reason why cancer patients often experience hot flashes and night

sweats before diagnosis.

When to see a doctor?

It is best to not ignore your fever and consult your doctor as soon as you experience it. Early

treatment of an infection or fever can prevent more serious complications in future. It's

important to note that in cancer patients receiving treatment, pyrexia or fever could be a side

effect of the medication, instead of being a symptom of the disease.

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