Editing Cancer (section)

=== Systemic symptoms ===
Systemic symptoms may occur due to the body's response to the cancer. This may include fatigue, unintentional weight loss, or skin changes.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = O'Dell M, Stubblefield M |title=Cancer rehabilitation principles and practice |year=2009 |publisher=Demos Medical |location=New York |isbn=978-1-933864-33-4 |page=983 |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=_JaPlNYgXkEC |page=983}}}}</ref> Some cancers can cause a systemic inflammatory state that leads to ongoing muscle loss and weakness, known as [[cachexia]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Fearon K, Strasser F, Anker SD, Bosaeus I, Bruera E, Fainsinger RL, Jatoi A, Loprinzi C, MacDonald N, Mantovani G, Davis M, Muscaritoli M, Ottery F, Radbruch L, Ravasco P, Walsh D, Wilcock A, Kaasa S, Baracos VE | title = Definition and classification of cancer cachexia: an international consensus | journal = The Lancet. Oncology | volume = 12 | issue = 5 | pages = 489–95 | date = May 2011 | pmid = 21296615 | doi = 10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70218-7 }}</ref>

Some cancers, such as [[Hodgkin's disease]], [[leukemia]]s, and [[Liver cancer|liver]] or [[kidney cancer]]s, can cause a persistent [[Fever of unknown origin|fever]].<ref name=Card10/>

Shortness of breath, called [[Shortness of breath|dyspnea]], is a common symptom of cancer and its treatment. The causes of cancer-related dyspnea can include tumors in or around the lung, blocked airways, fluid in the lungs, pneumonia, or treatment reactions including an [[allergic response]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shortness of Breath {{!}} Cancer-related Side Effects |url=https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/shortness-of-breath.html |access-date=10 October 2023 |website=www.cancer.org |language=en}}</ref> Treatment for dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer can include [[Fan (machine)|fans]], bilevel ventilation, [[acupressure]]/[[reflexology]] and multicomponent [[Non-pharmaceutical intervention|nonpharmacological interventions]].<ref>{{Cite book | vauthors = Dy SM, Gupta A, Waldfogel JM, Sharma R, Zhang A, Feliciano JL, Sedhom R, Day J, Gersten RA, Davidson PM, Bass EB |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565137/ |title=Interventions for Breathlessness in Patients With Advanced Cancer |date=2020 |publisher=Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US) |series=AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews |location=Rockville (MD) |pmid=33289989}}</ref>

Some systemic symptoms of cancer are caused by hormones or other molecules produced by the tumor, known as [[paraneoplastic syndromes]]. Common paraneoplastic syndromes include [[hypercalcemia]], which can cause [[altered mental state]], constipation and dehydration, or [[hyponatremia]], which can also cause altered mental status, vomiting, headaches, or seizures.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dimitriadis GK, Angelousi A, Weickert MO, Randeva HS, Kaltsas G, Grossman A | title = Paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes | journal = Endocrine-Related Cancer | volume = 24 | issue = 6 | pages = R173–R190 | date = June 2017 | pmid = 28341725 | doi = 10.1530/ERC-17-0036 | doi-access = free }}</ref>