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Is High Fever In A Terminal Cancer Patient A Matter Of Concern?
Question: My Father is a terminal cancer patient. He has primary squamous cell carcinoma of the throat and stage 4 UCC bladder cancer. This evening he started having a fever of 102. Is this an emergency?
Brief Answer:
It is an emergency
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in details and do understand your concern.
Having done my residency at a cancer hospital for 3 years, I would like to give some inputs on his condition.
At stage 4 bladder cancer, there is invasion to surrounding structures. The potential for cure is restricted to patients with stage IV disease with involvement of pelvic organs by direct extension or metastases to regional lymph nodes.
Fever in a cancer patient is always an emergency and reflects the general condition of patient which may need immediate attention to tackle the situation.
If he is under treatment then his general immunity might have weakened with time and this makes a patient more susceptible to even common infections which can start as fever, in this situation you MUST take him to his doctor and take treatment for any possible infection and treat it as emergency.
If he is under pain relief then also fever might be a sign of things going slightly bad possibly due to tumor spread and infection there upon. In this situation also seeing a doctor immediately may help manage the patient in a better way.
Please see that he is taking regular meals and fluids to maintain his general condition.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Wishing the best for your father.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
It is an emergency
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in details and do understand your concern.
Having done my residency at a cancer hospital for 3 years, I would like to give some inputs on his condition.
At stage 4 bladder cancer, there is invasion to surrounding structures. The potential for cure is restricted to patients with stage IV disease with involvement of pelvic organs by direct extension or metastases to regional lymph nodes.
Fever in a cancer patient is always an emergency and reflects the general condition of patient which may need immediate attention to tackle the situation.
If he is under treatment then his general immunity might have weakened with time and this makes a patient more susceptible to even common infections which can start as fever, in this situation you MUST take him to his doctor and take treatment for any possible infection and treat it as emergency.
If he is under pain relief then also fever might be a sign of things going slightly bad possibly due to tumor spread and infection there upon. In this situation also seeing a doctor immediately may help manage the patient in a better way.
Please see that he is taking regular meals and fluids to maintain his general condition.
Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Wishing the best for your father.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He is on hospice. Only recieving Tramadol for pain as needed. He has refused treatment for the cancer other than pain control. The doctors at Mayo clinic said they understand his decision. I appreciate your answer.
Brief Answer:
Thanks
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for accepting my reply.
Praying to God to reduce his pain and sufferings. Urge you to be in constant touch with his doctors and care givers.
God Bless
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Thanks
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for accepting my reply.
Praying to God to reduce his pain and sufferings. Urge you to be in constant touch with his doctors and care givers.
God Bless
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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