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Well my friend has now finished his rad and they didn't do his last chemo. Had a pretty rough time. was hospitalized twice with fevers of unknown origins and had to get a PEG midway thru as he had already lost 25 lbs of non existent "excess" weight. Only ended up 10 lbs light so the PEG worked. Problem is he's back in hospital with a fever of unknown origin which his rad doc tells him that is common for this type of Tx.

Now in all my years on this site I really don't remember any, although that doesn't mean any, that have had as a common problem of this Tx "fevers of unknown origins".

Anyone else experienced this side effect? If so what did your doc say about it?



David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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Hello David:
I have never heard of anything like that either. This may sound like a dumb question, but have they checked him for an infection, which the most common symptom would be a fever. Not sure how they would check for infection (blood work?), especially since they probably wouldn't have a clue as to what area is infected. Surely they would know how to check though. I wish him luck and will say a prayer for him.
julieann


Julieann
Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer smile
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David,

Bill had FUO the 5th week of treatment and was hospitalized. My understanding is that neutropenia (and he was very neutropenic at that point) will also create a fever so that complicates matters. He looked and acted very sick while in the hospital but once released seemed to be so much better than the previous weeks that I think he did have some infection that they did not find (perhaps mouth sores.) Between the antibiotics and the constant IV drip of fluids he did nothing but get better from the end of treatment on.


Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
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Julieann,

Of unknown origin means that they were not able to find a cause but they did try according to his wife.

Deb,

HEY YA'LL & tell Bill I said Hi.

Again they have tested for likely causes of fever and found nothing so could the lack of white blood cells cause a fever without an infection?


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 939
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Hi David,

I had never researched the statement that the ER doc made to me about neutropenic fevers, i.e. that the neutropenia might be the cause in and of itself, but when I just now tried to find any reference to that...most refer to an "unknown infection" and the body being incapable of producing the normal response (except fever) which is an elevated white count. So, I think I may have mispoken unless someone can find information to the contrary. Like I said, Bill perked up so quickly after his hospital stay and the last three radiation treatments that I have to believe that we either had a miracle here or his response was due to intervention with antibiotics and IV fluids.

Where is Charm and all his wonderful research when we need him?

Deb (Bill says Hi back!)

Last edited by debandbill; 09-19-2011 05:02 PM.

Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill
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