Cancer Health Center

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Other etiologies of fever in the cancer patient include drug withdrawal (i.e., opioids, benzodiazepines), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), obstruction of a viscus (i.e., bladder, bowel, kidney), and tumor embolization. Comorbid medical conditions such as thrombosis, connective tissue disorders, and central nervous system bleeds or strokes may also produce fever.[4] The differential diagnosis of fever in the cancer patient is extensive, and differentiating infection from other causes may be difficult. From a palliative perspective, establishing a fever-specific diagnosis is important, as the specific diagnosis impacts management, comfort, and patient prognosis.

Assessment

Assessment of fever requires careful history taking, medication review, and a physical examination that includes all major body systems. Individuals with suspected infection, especially those with neutropenic fever, should undergo meticulous evaluation of the skin, all body orifices (i.e., mouth, ears, nose, throat, urethra, vagina, rectum), finger stick and venipuncture sites, biopsy sites, and skin folds (i.e., breasts, axilla, groin). Oral assessment includes evaluation of the teeth, gingiva, tongue, floor of the mouth, nasopharynx, and sinuses. The perirectal area is a common source of infection, especially in individuals with leukemia. Vascular access devices (VAD) and other artificial indwelling devices (i.e., percutaneous nephrostomy tubes, biliary drainage tubes, gastrostomy or jejunostomy tubes) are other commonly implicated sources of infection. Urine, sputum, and blood cultures (peripheral and from ports or lumens of VADs) and radiographic imaging with chest radiography as directed by these findings complete the initial evaluation. Individuals undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy should be instructed to seek immediate medical attention if they develop fever when neutrophil counts are low or declining. Frequent reassessment, including physical examination, is especially important in the neutropenic host, as signs and symptoms of infection may be minimal. Evaluation for recurrent or progressive tumor can be performed at the same time as evaluation for potential infection and other causes of fever.[3]

Interventions

The presence of fever is associated with the potential metabolic consequences of dehydration and increased metabolic demand. Effects may be especially pronounced in debilitated cancer patients and include uncomfortable constitutional symptoms such as fatigue, myalgias, diaphoresis, and chills. Potential interventions for fever management include primary interventions directed at the underlying cause, hydration with parenteral fluids or by hypodermoclysis, nutritional support, and nonspecific palliative measures. The specific interventions utilized are determined by the patient's location in the disease trajectory and patient-determined goals of care. Some patients near the end of life may decide not to treat the underlying cause. For example, patients with advanced cancer may decline treatment of pneumonia or other infections but still seek nonspecific palliative measures and hydration to optimize quality of life. Alternatively, others may elect antibiotic therapy for the palliation of symptoms such as cough, fever, dyspnea, or abscess pain. (Refer to the Nonspecific Interventions for Palliation of Fever section of this summary for more information.)