fevers

how is fever a symptom of leukemia in kids?  meaning, is it a fever that does not go away?  are they sick for months?  how do you know a cold/flu fever from a cancer fever?  any insight would be great.  thanks.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Fever in leukemia is usually prolonged (weeks to months), unexplained with no apparent cause like presence of infection.  The fever is usually of low to moderate grade.  And there may be associated constitutional symptoms like weight loss, anorexia, or body weakness.
Infections such as a common cold or flu can also bring about fever in a patient.  With resolution of infection, the fever would subside.

[ny2125]

thanks dr. for your answer.  so a cancer fever would last weeks to months?  a fever w/runny nose or cough/flu is a different type of fever than a cancer fever?  the cancer fever does not go away i guess?  just clarifying cause it seemed anyone i asked this to could not answer.  thanks for your time!

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
The fever of malignancy is usually prolonged.    On the other hand, the fever of infection (in case there of a cough or flu) will resolve after the infection is cleared and treated.  The characteristics of fever are basically the same.  It can be intermittent, remittent, or continuous.