Does Lung Cancer Cause Night Sweats?

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Lung carcinoid tumor

There are some types of cancer that can put you at greater chance of having night sweats. The reason is not fully understood yet. But it may be a result of when the body fighting against cancer.

The following cancers sometime can cause sweating:

  1. Carcinoid tumor.
  2. Lymphoma.
  3. Cancer of bone.
  4. Cancer of liver.
  5. Leukemia.
  6. Mesothelioma.

Carcinoid tumor is rare. Typically it grows slowly and usually affects those over the age of 60.

About 25 percent of carcinoid tumors occur in the lung. But it is not common lung cancer type, only about 5 percent of lung cancers are carcinoid tumor. See also in-depth information about types of lung cancer in this post!

Advanced stages of lung cancer

Not all cancers can cause night sweats. But advanced stages of any cancers (including advanced lung cancer) can contribute to cause this symptom. About 16 percent of people with advanced cancer (any type of cancer) experience excessive sweating during sleep at night!

Moreover, metastasis of lung cancer is also likely to spread to bone and liver. And cancers in the bone & liver can sometime trigger sweating, as noted before.

Side effect of lung cancer treatment

Some cancer treatments can lead to sweating, or even hot flushes. For instances, common cancer treatment options such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, or hormone therapy can cause changes in hormone levels – and this can trigger sweats and hot flushes.

If your excess sweating is due to hormonal changes related to particular cancer medication, it usually will settle down once your body is used to the medication.

Lifestyle measures for coping

The treatment is dependent on the cause of the problem. Some lifestyle measures may help, too – these include:

  1. Drink plenty of water to replace fluid loss, and also in order to keep hydrated!
  2. If the problem worsens at a night, use a towel and lie on it to help soak up the moisture. This is also helpful to keep your sheets dry.
  3. Choose layers of clothes that you can easily put on –or- take off, so thus you can adjust your temperature more easily!
  4. Cotton clothes are more recommended since they can absorb sweat more effectively.
  5. Avoid things that can make you sweat more during sleep such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, or eating large meals. Make sure your bedroom temperature is cool and comfortable, too. If necessary, put a fan nearby at night!

About idiopathic hyperhidrosis

In some cases, the cause of the problem is not known. For such cases, doctors usually call them ‘idiopathic hyperhidrosis’, a condition of when there is no any identifiable cause of night sweats.

Hyperhidrosis itself is a term used to describe a condition of when you generally sweat excessively not only at night, but can occur anytime (day and night). It is usually harmless, but it can be very bothersome and embarrassing.

Citations /references:

  1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/night-sweats/basics/causes/sym-20050768
  2. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping-with-cancer/coping-physically/skin/managing/dealing-with-sweating

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