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

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.