Clinical Decision Making in the Management of Fever and Sweats

Effective management strategies for fever and sweats are limited by the paucity of data about symptom epidemiology and contributing pathophysiologies in the advanced cancer patient. Notwithstanding, careful history taking and physical examination can be used to develop a plan for diagnostic evaluation that is consistent with the patient’s location in the disease spectrum and goals of care. For some patients, improved quality of life outweighs potential survival advantages. Fever, sweats, and hot flashes detract from quality of life in a significant number of patients with cancer or a history of cancer. Management strategies require an understanding of the underlying causes and pathophysiologic mechanisms, as well as knowledge of the patient’s goals of care. Treatment interventions include pharmacologic, physical, dietary, and behavioral modalities.[1]

1. Zhukovsky DS: Fever and sweats in the patient with advanced cancer. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 16 (3): 579-88, viii, 2002.  [PUBMED Abstract]