Tumor flare
Tumor flare, also known as hormone flare, is a temporary and sudden worsening of symptoms or tumor markers in cancer patients. This phenomenon may manifest as an increase in tumor size, intensified pain, and abnormal blood chemistry values, and it can occur across all types of cancer. Often following cancer treatments, tumor flare is sometimes interpreted as a sign of treatment efficacy, though it can also pose significant health risks. Symptoms can vary widely and may include severe pain, paralysis, or dangerous fluctuations in laboratory results.
Diagnosis is typically straightforward, as patients can recognize changes in their symptoms, though further testing such as blood tests and biopsies may be warranted. Treatment primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms with pain management and addressing blood chemistry variations, and hormonal therapy may be employed to mitigate flare symptoms. The duration of a tumor flare usually spans one to three weeks, and its prognosis varies based on the specific cancer type involved. While tumor flares can be life-threatening, preventive measures, such as the use of antiandrogen therapy, may be effective in certain cases. Understanding tumor flare is crucial for both patients and caregivers in managing cancer treatment outcomes and expectations.
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Subject Terms
Tumor flare
ALSO KNOWN AS: Hormone flare, hormonal flare
RELATED CONDITIONS: All cancers
DEFINITION: A tumor flare is a sudden and temporary worsening of symptoms or markers, which can include an increase in the size of a tumor, heightened pain, and abnormal blood chemistry values. Tumor flare can occur in all types of cancer and often follows the administration of a cancer therapy. This can be considered a positive sign that the cancer is responding to the treatment; however, tumor flare can be life-threatening.
Risk factors: Risk factors for tumor flare depend on the type of tumor and the stage of the cancer.
Etiology and the disease process: The cause of tumor flare varies depending on the type of cancer and the tumor. Tumor flare typically involves intense exacerbation of symptoms followed by diminished symptoms.
Incidence: Tumor flare is a common adverse reaction to chemotherapy in patients with cancer.
Symptoms: Symptoms of tumor flare can include but are not limited to an increase in the size of the tumor, bone and tumor pain, paralysis (depending on the location of the tumor), and wide variations in blood laboratory values that can lead to life-threatening conditions.
Screening and diagnosis: Tumor flare typically is not difficult to diagnose, as many of the symptoms are detectable by the patients. Further evaluation, however, can also include blood tests and biopsy.
Treatment and therapy: Treatment for tumor flare includes supportive therapy for the symptoms, such as pain medications and treatments that counteract the potential variation in blood chemistry values. Hormonal therapy can also be used to reduce the symptoms of tumor flare. Tumor flares tend to last between one and three weeks.
Prognosis, prevention, and outcomes: The prognosis for tumor flare depends on the type of cancer exacerbated by the flare. As a flare can be life-threatening but is not in every case, it is not possible to predict a prognosis. Tumor flare can be prevented by administration of antiandrogen therapy in some cases.
Bibliography
Boyiadzis, Michael, James Frame, David R. Kohler, and Tito Fojo. Hematology-Oncology Therapy. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw, 2014.
Chanan-Khan, Asher. "Tumor Flare Reaction Associated with Lenalidomide Treatment in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Predicts Clinical Response." Cancer, vol. 117.10, 2011, pp. 2127–135.
Chisholm-Burns, Marie, et al. Pharmacotherapy Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw, 2013.
Taleb B., Amina. "Tumour Flare Reaction in Cancer Treatments: A Comprehensive Literature Review." Anti-Cancer Drugs, vol. 30, no. 9, 2019, pp. 953-958, doi.org/10.1097/CAD.0000000000000814. Accessed 15 June 2024.