Tumor Fever?

I was diagnosed with rcc July 2nd of this year. I bumped my head, puncturing my scalp, and had to go to ER. When a CT scan was done, they found a tumor on the opposite side of my head. A full body scan showed a primary in L kidney and 2 sml metastasis to L lung.I had radiation for the brain tumor in Aug. and the latest CT scans show that it has shrunk by 1/3. The kidney tumor, though it has not grown in size, shows now to have a tumor thrombus in renal vein and multiple pariaoritic lymph node involvement, which were not there previously. I was started on Nexivar 9/23rd at 1 tab twice daily. In two weeks, it was increased to 2 tabs twice daily. I had multiple side effects, the painful burning scalp, pain on soles of feet,(to painful to walk at times), nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, etc. When I developed a low grade temp,(101.6), I was admitted to the hosp., given IV antibiotics, and the Nexavar was stopped for a week. My WBC was 14,500.  Since being released, I have been on a reduced dose and was told to increase it in 5 days to 2 tabs in am and 1 tab in pm. The 2nd day after the increase, I started having chills and my temp. was 104.degrees. Lab work was drawn  & showed no elevated WBC.

 I was told by the oncologist that the fever is, most likely, "Tumor Fever". Said when the tumor cells start "melting" that toxins are released that can cause fever.

Has anyone out there taking Nexivar had fever and been told this? I am now back to 1/2 dose again since I can't tolerate the full dosage. (The reason I wasn't started on Sutent first was because I have heart irregularities.)  Would appreciate any information regarding Nexivar and it's side effect's in relation to their treatment.

My husband was diagnosed in 05, has been on Sutent from Oct 06-Sept 07. As of Aug/Sept he had STOPPED responding to the Sutent, they preformed a CT and realized that he was progressing. He never had the fevers or night sweats preveious to the progression. Not to scare you but have the doctors check your adrenal gland and lymph nodes because that is where the cancer has recently spread and where/why these problems have happened.

PLEASE keep me updated, I really would love to be kept updated on your case.

-Tara

On 11/22/2007 Tcasa222 wrote:

My husband was diagnosed in 05, has been on Sutent from Oct 06-Sept 07. As of Aug/Sept he had STOPPED responding to the Sutent, they preformed a CT and realized that he was progressing. He never had the fevers or night sweats preveious to the progression. Not to scare you but have the doctors check your adrenal gland and lymph nodes because that is where the cancer has recently spread and where/why these problems have happened.

 

PLEASE keep me updated, I really would love to be kept updated on your case.

-Tara

Tara,

Thanks for the response. You say your husband now has a metastasis to adrenal gland and lymph nodes? Have the doctors started him on Nexavar or suggested it? I just had a CT scan of chest, abd., and pelvis this last week and it showed no advancement & it's been several weeks since I had the elevated temperature. The MRI showed that the brain tumor had advanced metastasis carcinoma cells as read by the radiologist. The brain surgeon said it could possibly be inflammation and has put me on steroids for 3 weeks and will re-check to see if it's the same.The only trouble is that they have me scheduled for an EEG and office visit and not an MRI. I've sent an e-mail to them asking how he will be able to determine if it was inflammation or not if he doesn't do another MRI. Doesn't have me scheduled for MRI until Feb. That will have to be changed.....He can't tell by looking at an EEG or by looking at me whether the tumor is larger or smaller.We have to be aggressive at times to see that we get the correct treatment and tests. Some important things can be overlooked by either the nurses, scheduling, or Physician Assistants, as I have found in the past.

I'm having some uncomfortable side-effects from the Nexavar...none I can't tolerate. The worst part has been the blistering, painful, foot reaction. Had to get off the drug for 2 days because it had become so painful I could hardly walk. Will start back on half dose, 400 mg tomorrow and hopefully be able to resume the 600 mg a day in 7 days. Was not able to tolerate the full 800mg....That's when I was having the elevated temp. and chills.

Also, did your husband have his kidney removed? They don't plan to remove mine until I've been on the drug for at least a year. Said the outcome was better if waited.

We really have a battle to fight & I know it's not going to be easy. Will let you know what the Brain tumor shows after next visit on Dec 6th and also will have them check the adrenal gland and lymph nodes..Thanks much for the information.

Let me know how everything is going and we'll keep in touch. My heart goes out to both of you.

Barbara in Texas 

On 11/22/2007 Barbalan wrote:

 

On 11/22/2007 Tcasa222 wrote:

My husband was diagnosed in 05, has been on Sutent from Oct 06-Sept 07. As of Aug/Sept he had STOPPED responding to the Sutent, they preformed a CT and realized that he was progressing. He never had the fevers or night sweats preveious to the progression. Not to scare you but have the doctors check your adrenal gland and lymph nodes because that is where the cancer has recently spread and where/why these problems have happened.

 

PLEASE keep me updated, I really would love to be kept updated on your case.

-Tara

Tara,

Thanks for the response. You say your husband now has a metastasis to adrenal gland and lymph nodes? Have the doctors started him on Nexavar or suggested it? I just had a CT scan of chest, abd., and pelvis this last week and it showed no advancement & it's been several weeks since I had the elevated temperature. The MRI showed that the brain tumor had advanced metastasis carcinoma cells as read by the radiologist. The brain surgeon said it could possibly be inflammation and has put me on steroids for 3 weeks and will re-check to see if it's the same.The only trouble is that they have me scheduled for an EEG and office visit and not an MRI. I've sent an e-mail to them asking how he will be able to determine if it was inflammation or not if he doesn't do another MRI. Doesn't have me scheduled for MRI until Feb. That will have to be changed.....He can't tell by looking at an EEG or by looking at me whether the tumor is larger or smaller.We have to be aggressive at times to see that we get the correct treatment and tests. Some important things can be overlooked by either the nurses, scheduling, or Physician Assistants, as I have found in the past.

I'm having some uncomfortable side-effects from the Nexavar...none I can't tolerate. The worst part has been the blistering, painful, foot reaction. Had to get off the drug for 2 days because it had become so painful I could hardly walk. Will start back on half dose, 400 mg tomorrow and hopefully be able to resume the 600 mg a day in 7 days. Was not able to tolerate the full 800mg....That's when I was having the elevated temp. and chills.

Also, did your husband have his kidney removed? They don't plan to remove mine until I've been on the drug for at least a year. Said the outcome was better if waited.

We really have a battle to fight & I know it's not going to be easy. Will let you know what the Brain tumor shows after next visit on Dec 6th and also will have them check the adrenal gland and lymph nodes..Thanks much for the information.

Let me know how everything is going and we'll keep in touch. My heart goes out to both of you.

Barbara in Texas 

I WOULD ABSOLUTELY DEMAND A MRI!!! I've learned my lesson that you have to demand/push/argue for what you want. If you feel "funny" about what a doctor says than go with your instincts.

Yes, my husband did have his Kidney removed.

To tell U his story: He was diagnosed in 97' with Chromophbe RCC with traces of sarcomic (spindle cell) within it, they did a complete nephrectomy (adrenal gland and kidney).No activity for almost 8yrs-In 05' it meta to his spine. Was put on sutent in 06' for 1yr, had a 60% reduction. Stopped reponding in Oct of this year. Showed progression to: adjacent adrenal gland, lung, 5 lymph nodes. Luckily there is no progression to the brain or other MAJOR organs (so far).

My husband is the most important thing in my life. I will push and fight this thing as hard as I can (as an outsider).. I have been and will continue to be the additional strength that he needs to fight this beast!!

I will keep you in my thoughts..

Tara