Which malignancy is frequently associated with noninfectious fever?

Prepare for USMLE Step 1 Pathology Exam with comprehensive quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding and be exam-ready!

Hodgkin's lymphoma is often associated with noninfectious fever, which can be a significant clinical feature of the disease. This malignancy is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells and typically presents with a variety of systemic symptoms known as "B symptoms." These B symptoms include fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss, and they can occur even in the absence of infection. The fever seen in Hodgkin's lymphoma is usually persistent and may not respond to typical antipyretics, serving as an important clinical marker in diagnosing the disease.

In the context of lymphoma, while other forms can also present with similar systemic symptoms, Hodgkin's lymphoma specifically stands out for its strong association with these noninfectious fevers. This phenomenon is thought to be related to the body's immune response to the tumor, which can lead to the release of cytokines that cause fever. Understanding this association helps clinicians to consider Hodgkin's lymphoma in patients presenting with fever, particularly when it is accompanied by lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly.

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