What is Malignant Fever in Cancer Patients

1. What is Malignant Fever in Cancer Patients? Fever is often considered to be a sign of infection. It’s because of the fact that your body raises the temperature when the immune cells are acting against the infection. With this, other symptoms you experience help in determining the real cause of the condition. To your surprise, some fevers are not related to any infection (bacteria or viruses). When cancer and its medicines alter your immune system, it becomes very hard for your body to get rid of even common illnesses. Some of such diseases can become life-threatening. In this way, cancer and fever have a link. Thus, special care should be taken in case you experience symptoms like abdominal pain, cough, chills, and body ache along with a high body temperature. Fever that is caused by cancer, its medications, or its other therapies is known as Malignant fever. Malignant refers to something that is dangerous and needs medical attention. The potential causes of malignant fever can be any of the following:  Death of tissue with infection in case of patients previously diagnosed with breast cancer, anal cancer, or rectal cancer.  Some kind of blockage caused by cancer, like airways blocked by lung cancer, urinary tract blocked by lymphoma, biliary tract blocked by stomach cancer, etc.  Low immunity due to leukemia.  Low immunity due to high doses of chemotherapy or other medicines. Cancers associated with Malignant Fevers  Lymphoma: Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin Lymphoma

2. Leukemia: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Adult T-Cell Leukemia, and Hairy Cell Leukemia Solid Cancers: Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma), Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma), Brain Cancer (Glioblastoma Multiforme), Stomach Cancer, and Pancreas Cancer   Causes of Malignant Fevers  Cancers: Leukemia, Glioblastoma Multiforme, Renal Cell Carcinoma, Lymphoma, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma.  Infections: Endocarditis, Tuberculosis, Sinusitis, Intra-Abdominal Abscesses, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus  Inflammatory Disease: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Crohn Disease, Adult Still Disease, Sarcoidosis, and Temporal Arteritis  Drugs: Cardiovascular Drugs, Anti-Histamines, Antibiotics, and Anticonvulsants  Others: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Thromboembolic Disease Different types of cancer treatment can have different effects on the body. Also, environmental and geographical factors matter. For example, cancer treatment in Malaysia might vary from that of other places in the same region. This can be because of the most diagnosed genetic mutations, cancers, and their types in a particular area. Diagnostic approach for Malignant Fevers The following are included in the initial diagnostic approach for fever of unknown origin:  Full blood count  Electrolyte panel  Liver enzymes  C-reactive protein  Chest radiography  Urine analysis  Computer tomography  Antinuclear antibodies Consult your doctor if you think you are at risk of developing such a condition or are experiencing any unmanageable symptoms. Source: http://writeus.me/what-is-malignant-fever-in-cancer-patients/