CATAMENIAL FEVERS ASSOCIATED WITH A UTERINE SMOOTH-MUSCLE TUMOR OF UNDETERMINED MALIGNANT POTENTIAL

Background: Pyrexia associated with solid and hematogenous neoplasms a re a well-recognized clinical condition. Menstrually related (catameni al) fevers have not been reported previously. Case: A 52-year-old woma n with a history of stage I breast cancer on adjuvant tamoxifen citrat e presented with recurrent fevers associated with menses. An extensive evaluation of possible causes, including recurrent breast cancer and infectious, collagen-vascular, and drug-related sources, initially was unrevealing. A gynecologic evaluation identified a uterine tumor, whi ch appeared to be a cellular leiomyoma on hysteroscopic biopsy. The ca tamenial fevers resolved immediately after hysterectomy. A uterine smo oth muscle tumor of undetermined malignant potential was identified on pathology. Conclusion: Smooth muscle tumors of the myometria are a ra re cause of menstrual fevers. (Obstet Gynecol 1998;92: 671-2. (C) 1998 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.)