Sepsis and Cancer

Cancer is a term that describes several malignant (dangerous, harmful) diseases that can affect just about every organ and system in the body. Malignant cells, or cancer cells, are abnormal cells that multiply uncontrollably. Unlike normal cells, which stop multiplying and die off as they should, cancer cells continue to multiply and can form tumors and growths. These can then invade adjacent tissues.

Cancerous cells can also break free from a tumor site and enter the bloodstream. Once they are in the bloodstream, the cells can travel to other parts of the body, spreading the disease to other organs. This process is metastasis.

Malignant diseases (cancers) are becoming increasingly survivable in the developing world. But they are still one of the leading causes of death in countries like the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1,806,590 new cases of cancer reported in the U.S. in 2020 – the most recent year for which statistics are available.

Death can occur because of the actual tumors, such as when a tumor destroys the liver, or death can occur because of associated conditions, like sepsis. Having cancer and undergoing specific treatments, such as chemotherapy, can weaken the immune system, putting you at higher risk for developing an infection that could lead to sepsis.

Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Neutropenic sepsis refers to sepsis related to chemotherapy and treatments for cancer.

Suggested Citation:
Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Cancer. 2023. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/cancer/

Updated December 12, 2023.

 

More About Cancer

Sepsis Risks

People with cancer are particularly susceptible to developing sepsis. Here are some statistics related to sepsis and cancer:

Why are people with malignancies at high risk?

There are several reasons why people with malignancies may be at higher risk of developing sepsis. These include:

  • Frequent hospital stays, which increases the risk of contracting a hospital-acquired infection
  • Surgeries, procedures that puncture the skin, insertion of invasive devices like urinary catheters, etc. Each time something is introduced into the body, the risk of infection goes up.
  • Depressed immune system because of treatment
  • Weakness due to malnutrition, illness, or frailty from age can increase the risk of developing an infection
Causes

Researchers don’t yet know precisely how or why malignancies start, but they know that certain events can trigger them or increase the likelihood of development. Many of these triggers can be related to some lifestyle factors, such as smoking (lung, mouth, and throat cancers) or getting too much sun exposure without skin protection (skin cancer). Others may be inadvertent, such as exposure to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of cancer depend on where the malignancy is. The signs may start as the malignant cells invade the organ or the disease spreads. For example, you may not notice possible signs of colon or bowel cancer until you:

  • Start losing weight
  • Experience either diarrhea or constipation more than usual for you
  • Become very fatigued
  • Experience nausea and vomiting
  • Stop eating because of lack of appetite

As you can see, the symptoms are similar to what could be for many other illnesses, so doctors may not automatically suspect a malignancy.

Treatment

Each malignancy is different, and there are many differences among each type of cancer, as well.

The decision of how to treat each particular case rests on the doctor, your test results, and your overall state of health. Some tumors respond better to chemotherapy than radiotherapy; others are the other way around. Some tumors need radiotherapy to shrink them before chemotherapy or before surgery. In yet other cases, surgery is first, followed by treatment.

Several types of cancer, such as colon cancer and skin cancer, have a very high cure rate if detected early. The key is, though, early detection.

Prevention

You can lower the risk of some types of cancer by making some lifestyle changes. Of course, this is no guarantee that you will never get cancer. But a lower risk is better than a higher one.

Eating healthy foods, exercising, and minimizing stress in your life seem to be the key factors in trying to reduce your risks, as well screening regularly for common cancers. Screening is also essential if you have a family history or previous cancer.

Ask your doctor or healthcare provider what types of screening tests you should have and at what ages.

Related Resources

Sepsis and Cancer

Information Guide

Cancer

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Pat Termini

A couple of hours before my wife Pat passed away in the ICU at her hospital, I said to her “Honey, if you have to go, I will respect your wishes, I want you to do what is best for you.” 2 hours later she passed away peacefully. I do know that she is in a much better place now, free of pain. Pat was allergic to opioid medications, which includes most everything except Tylenol. The pain from sepsis she endured those last 2 weeks must have been excruciating. Pat was a fighter. She fought squamous cell cancer for 11+ ... Read Full Story

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Natalie Zeleznikar

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer on my left side in 2015. (Sepsis and Cancer) I elected to have a double mastectomy as a friend had the same kind of cancer and chose a lumpectomy and three months later it went to other breast and she ended up with double mastectomy. I thought I was lucky to be stage 1, and really expected a six week recovery and didn’t worry. I was running an assisted living business as CEO and a few days before my scheduled return, friends came to see me. We had a glass of wine ... Read Full Story

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Estelle Botha

Our beautiful, talented 15-year-old ballerina girl passed away from sepsis while she was under chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. (Sepsis and Cancer) At the time of her passing, we did not know the cause, and no-one used the word « sepsis » to help us make sense of the tragedy. Estelle had been telling her doctor that she was not feeling well and asking for a longer respite from chemotherapy sessions, but the doctor merely stated that chemo makes one feel unwell and that she must not skip chemo sessions. Four months into the treatment, Estelle was having a particularly difficult week, ... Read Full Story

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Ethel Mullins

My mother had breast cancer however we had been given hope that the medicine she was on would extend her life several more years. Late Aug 2018 she goes to the ER for back pain to learn she has a UTI she is kept in the hospital for several weeks. (Sepsis and Cancer, Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections) She comes home for a day to then my father calling. My mother is in the floor of their home and he can’t get her up. Call an ambulance, I get there later that evening. I leave out of town to receive ... Read Full Story

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Holli T.

I am a 2x triple negative breast cancer survivor AND a 2x sepsis survivor. The day Oregon shut down due to COVID-19, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. After I went through chemo and recovered, I underwent my second bilateral mastectomy to remove implants from my first bout with cancer (2017). At some point, I touched my dog and then my drain tube. It took less than 8 hours for my drainage to go from normal, to green and gross looking. (Sepsis and Cancer, Sepsis and Surgery, Sepsis and Invasive Devices) I was hospitalized, put on antibiotics. I was ... Read Full Story

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Other Topics

Cancer

Cancer is a term that describes several malignant (dangerous, harmful) diseases that can affect just about every organ and system in the body. Malignant cells, or cancer cells, are abnormal cells that multiply in an uncontrolled fashion. Unlike normal cells, which can stop multiplying and die off as they should,  cancer cells continue to multiply and can form tumors and growths. These can then invade adjacent tissues.