Antipyretic effects of indomethacin in liver metastases of solid tumors

Six cases of fever in patients with dominant hepatic metastases from a variety of solid tumors are presented. The elevated temperature in each case was due to the malignant process itself without evidence of infection. After failure to control fever with various antipyretics and antibiotics, indomethacin promptly controlled fever in all six patients. Prior reports of antipyresis from indomethacin in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors are reviewed. Both the mechanism of fever due to the malignant process itself and the possible mechanism of indomethacin's antipyretic effect are presented. The major thrust of this report is the clinical usefulness of indomethacin for the management of liver metastases with uncontrollable fever.