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.
People with cancer are particularly susceptible to developing sepsis. Here are some statistics related to sepsis and cancer:
There are several reasons why people with malignancies may be at higher risk of developing sepsis. These include:
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.
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:
As you can see, the symptoms are similar to what could be for many other illnesses, so doctors may not automatically suspect a malignancy.
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.
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.
Diagnosed with uterine carcinosarcoma August 2018, followed by radical hysterectomy. Was stage 1B very aggressive grade 3-4. Port surgically implanted and started chemo. Having completed 9 of 18 chemotherapy infusions, next I was on a 4 week break, before undergoing 30 rounds of radiation. (Sepsis and Cancer) My ninth infusion was the day before Thanksgiving 2018. Around the first week of December, I felt as if I had twisted my right ankle. That lasted a few days, then I was driving home from the grocery store and I turned my head to the right, to double check my lane change, ... Read Full Story
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My name is Kelli. I was a healthy person for most of my life – productive, happy, grateful, and filled with hope. Amid the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, however, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Optimistic doctors called my treatment plan a “chip shot” because of the tumor’s position— a standard surgery followed by radiation. But just after the surgery, a secondary infection cropped up, requiring another procedure. The second surgery was a success, and I finally began the delayed course of radiation. Goodbye, hospitals and cancer! Then, just before my final week of radiation, I developed sepsis. Radiation was not ... Read Full Story
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My beautiful mother passed away on 6/15/24 due to complications from sepsis. She fought a 5 year battle of 3 different leukemias and brain tumors. She had a really bad UTI and leg infection which led to her being septic. We need to make a change for cancer patients with sepsis. My mom was the most loving mother who would’ve done anything for her children. Unfortunately these diseases took her too soon but now I have the strength to advocate for her. (Sepsis and Urinary Tract Infections, Sepsis and Cancer) Read Full Story
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Charles (Chuck) was my husband of 41 years who died from sepsis 3 years ago after a valiant fight with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. (Sepsis and Cancer) He was diagnosed with lymphoma and had surgery, chemo, and radiation. He remained in remission for over a year and he used this time to travel. He experienced relapse of lymphoma and started another round of chemo with a goal of stem cell transplant. (Sepsis and Impaired Immune System) After the first treatment, he began having some confusion, fever, and weakness. We went immediately to the ED but it was already too late. He was ... Read Full Story
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My mother, my best friend, died of sepsis in November 2023. She had just turned 72 in the hospital. Although she had some chronic health issues, she had been doing well despite them. She had been on dialysis for the last three years, and she had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (caught so early that the doctors said they could “hardly see the tumor on the scan”). We knew she wasn’t going to live forever, but we thought there would be a slow decline, a little warning at least. No one had even talked to us about advanced directives. ... Read Full Story
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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.
