Information on what is "tumor feaver" associated with kidney cancer
(that was removed sugically 3-1/2 years prior to) having matastized to
the L1 area of the spine that has been treated with  two weeks of
radiation? Individual  only expierencing chills prior to onset of
fever which spikes to about l02 degrees otherwise maintains only a
"low" grade fever.Some people have said it could be from the tumor
breaking down from the radiation they just received.

Hi Teteanne,

Tumor fevers are associated with solid tumors that have metastasized
to the central nervous system, or spinal cord.  It is unclear why
these tumors associate with fever, but may have to do with a variety
of chemicals that are released by tumors either in development or
being necrotized - so it's possible that the radiation has something
to do with it, or it could just be the tumor itself.  The technical
term for this symptom is "paraneoplastic fever", but I did not find
helpful pages using that phrase as a search in Google.  Here are some
sites with information:

CancerSourceRN.com
http://www.cancersourcern.com/Nursing/CE/CECourse.cfm?courseid=133&contentid=22349#_Toc512950680
"Tumor Fever
Fever of unknown origin (FUO) in patients with cancer is a diagnosis
of exclusion. If the patient is not neutropenic, and there is no
source of infection or fever found despite rigorous evaluation, then
the fever is likely due to the tumor. Cytokines are known to be
involved in the acute phase response, and IL-1 (endogenous pyrogen) is
well known to cause fevers. In addition, other cytokines are most
likely involved, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF alpha and beta),
interferon, and IL-6. TNF appears to work differently from IL-1, and
in fact, may induce its pyrogenic activity (Arnold et al, 2001).
Cancers most likely to cause tumor fever are lymphoma, solid tumors,
which have metastasized to the liver or CNS, and hypernephroma (Cunha,
1996). Fevers associated with lymphomas ("B" symptom) confer a worse
prognosis. Patients with Hodgkin's Disease may have intermittent fever
that is predictible in timing."

National Cancer Institute: Fever
http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/fever/healthprofessional
This is a very technical page that discusses possible origins of
tumor-related fever as well as interventions for control/management of
symptoms.  Here is the patient-oriented page:
http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/fever/Patient/page1

eMedicine
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/15503-2.asp
"Tumor fever
Cancer can cause fever in a variety of ways. Sometimes the tumor makes
pyrogens, which cause a fever on their own. Some tumors may become
infected. Tumors in the brain may prevent the hypothalamus (the body?s
thermostat) from regulating the temperature. Many of the medications
that a cancer patient takes can cause a fever. Finally, immune systems
in cancer patients may be weakened, which makes them prone to various
infections."

I found the above sites by doing a search on the Google database for
"tumor fever".

You may also find the following site helpful (found using the
MedlinePlus database - www.medlineplus.gov - of health websites):

MayoClinic.com: Fever During Cancer Treatment - Don't Wait it Out
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=CA00043
"Certain tumors
Fever caused by a tumor (paraneoplastic fever) can happen in any
cancers. Some common examples include kidney (renal cell) cancer and
lymphoma."

Please let me know if I can help further with this or any other question!

Librariankt

Thank you so much, your research appears to be very, very informative.
I will be checking all the sites you have given me. Again, thank you.