Is Fever a Common Symptom of Cervical Cancer?

Fever is not a common or typical symptom of cervical cancer itself, especially in early stages. The most frequent symptoms, when they occur, are abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual discharge, and pelvic pain, not fever. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Fever in someone with cervical cancer is more often linked to infection or treatment-related complications rather than the tumor alone. ^[4]

Typical Cervical Cancer Symptoms

• Early cervical cancer often causes no symptoms. ^[1]
• In more advanced disease, common symptoms include bleeding that is not normal (after sex, between periods, or after menopause), watery or bloody discharge (sometimes with odor), and pelvic pain or pain during sex. ^{[2] [3]}
• If the cancer spreads, people may notice urinary or bowel difficulties, backache, leg swelling, or abdominal pain rather than fever. ^[5]

Why Fever Can Occur

• Infections are the most common cause of fever in people with cancer, and can be serious. ^[4]
• Cancer and its treatments can weaken the immune system, making infections more likely; fever may be the only sign of infection. ^{[6] [7]}
• Less commonly, tumor-related inflammation and substances produced by tumor cells can contribute to fever. ^[4]

Fever During Treatment: Why It Matters

• A fever during chemotherapy (100.4°F / 38°C or higher) is considered a medical emergency, because it may signal a dangerous infection when white blood cells are low (febrile neutropenia). ^{[7] [8]}
• You should check your temperature any time you feel warm, flushed, chilled, or unwell, and call your care team promptly if it is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. ^{[7] [8]}

What To Do If You Have Fever

• Call your doctor right away if you develop fever during chemotherapy or feel sick; do not delay. ^{[6] [7]}
• Do not take fever-reducing medicines (like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) without checking with your provider first, because they can mask signs of infection and delay diagnosis. ^[9]
• Your team may assess for signs of infection at common sites (mouth, skin, urinary tract, anus, injection or biopsy sites, catheter areas) and order tests; they may start antibiotics and give medicines to boost white cells when needed. ^[4]

How Fever Is Evaluated in Cancer Care

• Clinicians assess risk when fever occurs with low white blood cells, often using validated tools (for “febrile neutropenia”) to identify who can be treated as low-risk versus who needs inpatient care. ^{[10] [11]}
• This structured approach helps reduce serious complications like low blood pressure, respiratory failure, or other organ problems. ^[11]

Prevention Tips During Treatment

• Wash hands often and ask family and caregivers to do the same, as clean hands help prevent infections. ^[8]
• Follow your team’s guidance on central line care, mouth care, and skin protection, and report any new redness, swelling, warmth, pus, cough, sore throat, or burning with urination early. ^{[9] [4]}

Bottom Line

• Fever is not a common symptom of cervical cancer itself, but in the context of cancer care, fever almost always raises concern for infection, especially during chemotherapy. ^{[1] [2] [7]}
• Because infections can be life-threatening when immunity is low, seek urgent medical advice for any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher during treatment. ^{[7] [8]}