Is fever a common side effect of Ovarian Cancer treatment?

Fever can happen during ovarian cancer treatment, and it ranges from expected, short‑lived events to medical emergencies that need immediate care. If you are receiving chemotherapy, any fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher should be treated as urgent because it can be the only sign of a serious infection. ^[1] Take your temperature whenever you feel warm, chilled, or unwell, and call your care team right away if it is 38°C or higher. ^[2]

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Why fever occurs during treatment

• Chemotherapy and low white blood cells (neutropenia): Chemotherapy can lower the body’s infection‑fighting cells, making infection more likely; fever may be the first or only clue. During chemotherapy, a fever is considered a medical emergency due to life‑threatening infection risk. ^[1] You might feel flushed, chilled, or generally unwell even before the temperature reaches 38°C. ^[3]

• Targeted therapy (PARP inhibitors, e.g., niraparib): These drugs commonly cause blood count changes; you should seek urgent care for a temperature of 38°C or higher, chills/shivers, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or if you feel very unwell even without a high temperature. ^{[4] [5]} Because your body may not fight infection as well, early action is important. ^[5]

• Post‑operative period (after surgery): Low‑grade fever in the first 48 hours after surgery can occur from inflammation or reabsorption of a small blood collection and often resolves on its own; fever of 38.5°C or higher after 48 hours should prompt evaluation for wound or line infections. ^[6]

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When fever is an emergency

• Chemotherapy recipients: Any fever ≥38°C (100.4°F) is an emergency call your team or go to the emergency department and inform them you are on chemotherapy. ^[1] You should be seen quickly because infection during chemotherapy can be life‑threatening. ^[3]

• Signs that need immediate attention (any treatment type): Temperature ≥38°C, chills/shivers/sweats, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea, or becoming acutely unwell even without a high temperature. ^[4] These can signal infection or complications that require prompt care. ^[5]

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What to do right away

• Check and record your temperature: Keep a thermometer at home and use it whenever you feel unwell. ^[5] Call your doctor immediately if it is 38°C or higher. ^[2]

• Seek urgent care: If you have fever during chemotherapy or severe symptoms, go to the emergency department; tell triage you are undergoing cancer treatment and may have an infection. ^[3] Early antibiotics are often needed while tests are done. ^[7]

• Avoid masking fever: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) can lower temperature and hide fever ask your care team before using it, especially during periods of low white blood cells. ^[8]

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How doctors assess and manage fever

• Rapid evaluation: Clinicians treat all fevers after anticancer therapy as potentially neutropenic until proven otherwise and start empiric antibiotics promptly. ^[7] Those with low blood counts are at higher risk of complications and are assessed using standardized risk tools such as the MASCC score. ^[9]

• Time‑critical antibiotics: If there are signs of systemic compromise (low blood pressure, low oxygen, confusion, organ dysfunction), antibiotics should be given within 30 minutes. ^[7] Even in stable cases, antibiotics are started quickly while blood tests and cultures are obtained. ^[7]

• Risk stratification: Validated tools help identify lower‑risk cases for possible outpatient management and higher‑risk cases for hospital care. ^[9] This approach reduces complications like respiratory failure or bleeding associated with febrile neutropenia. ^[10]

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Preventing fever and infections during treatment

• Hygiene and monitoring: Wash hands often, limit contact with sick people, and inspect any central line site daily for redness, pus, or swelling. ^[5] Regular mouth care and keeping a thermometer handy support early detection and prevention. ^[5]

• Food safety: Because immunity can be reduced, avoid undercooked or raw foods during therapy to lower infection risk. ^[11]

• Know your action plan: Keep your care team’s phone numbers available (both office hours and after‑hours) and know where to go if urgent symptoms occur. ^[3]

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Special notes by treatment type

• Chemotherapy: Fever ≥38°C is always urgent and can be the first sign of infection; call immediately. ^[1] Take your temperature any time you feel chilled or unwell and don’t delay seeking care. ^[12]

• PARP inhibitors (e.g., niraparib): Watch for fever ≥38°C, chills, cough, sore throat, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, shortness of breath, or feeling suddenly unwell, and contact your team immediately. ^[13] These medicines can lower platelets and white cells, increasing infection risk and bleeding tendencies. ^[13]

• Surgery: Early low‑grade fever (<48 hours) can be non‑infectious, but fever ≥38.5°C beyond 48 hours needs assessment for wound or line infection, especially 5–10 days after surgery. ^[6]

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Practical checklist for users

• If temperature ≥38°C (100.4°F): Call your oncology team immediately or go to the emergency department and state you are on cancer treatment. ^{[1] [3]}

• If severe symptoms (chills, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, confusion): Seek urgent care without delay. ^{[4] [7]}

• If unsure: Take your temperature, note symptoms, and contact your team for guidance; early action is safer than waiting. ^[2]

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Bottom line

Fever can occur with ovarian cancer treatments for several reasons, from non‑infectious causes after surgery to infections during periods of low immunity. During chemotherapy, any fever of 38°C or higher is an emergency and needs prompt medical evaluation and usually antibiotics. ^[1] For targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors, fever and infection signs also require immediate contact with your care team, because the body’s defenses may be reduced. ^{[4] [5]} Good hygiene, food safety, regular temperature checks, and a clear action plan help prevent complications and ensure timely care. ^{[5] [11] [3]}