Are there criteria for the diagnosis of paraneoplastic fever?

Introduction. - This study was aimed at reviewing useful criteria for the d iagnosis of fever of paraneoplastic origin in patients with cancer. Current knowledge and key points. - Apart from episodes of neutropenia, hyp erthermia is observed in approximately 60% of patients with cancer. Fever i s often due to infection and, as a contraindication, may hamper treatment T he differential diagnosis, ie., fever of paraneoplastic or infectious origi n, may be difficult Paraneoplastic fever is mostly observed in patients wit h advanced cancel: It is related to the production of inflammatory cytokine s, especially interleukin 6 and is not specific. Neither current markers of inflammation, nor X-ray: nor naproxen confirm diagnosis. The diagnosis of fever of paraneoplastic origin in patients with cancer should rely on a net work of arguments to exclude other causes of fever, especially infectious c auses. Future and projects. - Further evaluation of the specificity of procalciton in will determine whether or not it is a useful tool for the diagnosis of f ever of paraneoplastic or infectious origin. (C) 2000 Editions scientifique s et medicales Elsevier SAS.