How to rule out cancer in cases of persistent low-grade fever
Feb 28, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Peng Xiaodong
Introduction
Persistent low-grade fever can generally be evaluated at a hospital through complete blood count, imaging studies, and tumor marker tests to rule out cancer. Some hematologic malignancies may cause persistent low-grade fever in patients. A complete blood count can be performed at the hospital; additionally, cancer can also be excluded through localized pathological diagnosis, urine culture, blood culture, and other related examinations.
Prolonged low-grade fever can generally be evaluated at a hospital through routine blood tests, imaging examinations, and tumor marker tests to rule out cancer.
1. Routine Blood Test
Some hematologic malignancies may cause patients to experience persistent low-grade fever. Patients can undergo a routine blood test at the hospital. If all indicators are normal or only slightly elevated, the low fever is likely due to infection, thus ruling out cancer.
2. Imaging Examinations
When a patient continuously has a low-grade fever, imaging tests such as CT or PET-CT scans can be performed at the hospital to determine whether space-occupying lesions or organic abnormalities exist in internal organs. If results are normal, cancer can be excluded.
3. Tumor Marker Tests
Cancer often leads to elevated tumor markers and may also present with persistent low-grade fever. Tumor marker testing helps confirm or exclude a cancer diagnosis. If no abnormal changes are found, the likelihood of cancer can be ruled out.
In addition, cancer may also be excluded through other relevant examinations such as local pathological diagnosis, urine culture, and blood culture.
