Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating during sleep. They can soak your bedding and clothes and may wake you up. Night sweats are a common symptom of several types of cancers. Here is an overview of the cancers that can cause night sweats as a symptom.
Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin’s disease, is a cancer that starts in the white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are part of the body’s immune system. Hodgkin lymphoma causes cells in the lymphatic system to grow abnormally and spread beyond the lymphatic system.
Night sweats are a very common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma, occurring in up to 80% of people with the disease. The night sweats are often drenching and can require the person to change clothes or bedding. The night sweats associated with Hodgkin lymphoma typically occur alone, without fever.
Key Facts
- Hodgkin lymphoma accounts for around 10% of all lymphomas.
- It most commonly affects people aged 20-40 and those over 55.
- Survival rates are high, with around 85% of people surviving for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a group of blood cancers that develop in lymphocytes. There are over 60 subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some of the most common subtypes include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma.
As with Hodgkin lymphoma, night sweats are a common symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They occur in up to one-third of people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Again, the night sweats are often drenching and not accompanied by fever.
Key Facts
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common than Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for around 90% of lymphomas.
- The most common subtypes are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.
- Survival rates vary widely depending on the subtype – from around 26% (peripheral T-cell lymphomas) to 73% (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) at 5 years.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. There are several different types of leukemia. All types cause a large number of abnormal blood cells to be produced. These abnormal cells accumulate in the blood and bone marrow, crowding out normal blood cells.
Around one-third of people with leukemia experience night sweats. They can be an early symptom, before leukemia is diagnosed. The night sweats are often severe and can persist throughout treatment or return if the leukemia comes back.
Key Facts
- The four main types of leukemia are acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia.
- Leukemia is more common in older adults but can occur at any age.
- Survival rates vary by leukemia subtype from 34% (acute myeloid leukemia) to 71% (chronic myeloid leukemia) at 5 years.
Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis
Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is a very rare type of blood cancer. It is a form of lymphoma that involves the lymph nodes but also affects the lungs. Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is an aggressive cancer that progresses rapidly.
Night sweats are one of the most common symptoms of lymphomatoid granulomatosis, occurring in 40-50% of patients. The night sweats tend to be severe. Fever often accompanies the night sweats.
Key Facts
- Lymphomatoid granulomatosis is rare, with only around 600 cases diagnosed each year in the United States.
- It typically occurs in middle-aged and older adults.
- Survival is poor, with less than 40% of patients surviving 1 year after diagnosis.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer involving plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell normally responsible for producing antibodies. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably in the bone marrow.
Up to 40% of people with multiple myeloma experience night sweats. These night sweats are often severe enough to drench sleepwear and bedding. They can be an early symptom of multiple myeloma, before diagnosis.
Key Facts
- Multiple myeloma accounts for around 1% of all cancers and 13% of blood cancers.
- The average age at diagnosis is 69 years.
- The 5-year survival rate is around 55%. However, new treatments continue to extend survival.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It most commonly affects the lungs but can affect any part of the body. TB is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing.
Night sweats are a common symptom of active TB disease. They tend to be severe and can drench bedding. Night sweats occur in up to 45% of people with active TB.
Key Facts
- Almost one quarter of the world’s population has latent TB, meaning they have been infected but don’t have active disease.
- Around 10 million people worldwide developed active TB disease in 2020.
- TB is treatable and curable as long as medications are taken as prescribed.
Carcinoid Tumors
Carcinoid tumors are slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors that can arise in various parts of the body, most commonly the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Carcinoid tumors secrete hormone-like substances such as serotonin that cause symptoms.
Night sweats are a common symptom, occurring in up to 80% of people with advanced carcinoid tumors. They are often associated with flushing episodes. Night sweats can be an early presenting symptom of carcinoid tumors.
Key Facts
- Carcinoid tumors represent less than 1% of cancers.
- They are rarely cured completely but treatments can control growth and symptoms.
- The 5-year survival rate is above 60% for early localized disease but declines to around 14% for metastatic carcinoid tumors.
HIV/AIDS
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system. Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection when the immune system is severely damaged.
Recurring night sweats are a common symptom in people with HIV/AIDS. They affect up to two-thirds of people. Night sweats tend to be most common in late-stage AIDS. They can be accompanied by fever.
Key Facts
- Uptake of antiretroviral therapy has greatly improved the prognosis for people living with HIV/AIDS.
- Life expectancy is now nearly the same as the general population for people with HIV who take antiretroviral medications as prescribed.
- Without treatment, life expectancy after progression to AIDS is around 3 years.
Cancers with Less Frequent Night Sweats
While less common, night sweats can also occur as a symptom in some other cancers:
- Prostate cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Some sarcomas and skin cancers
However, night sweats occur in a minority of patients with these cancer types. Other symptoms are usually more prominent.
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Night sweats for no obvious reason that are severe, persistent or recurrent
- Night sweats along with unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats plus fever
- Drenching night sweats plus enlarged lymph nodes
- Night sweats along with other vague symptoms such as fatigue, appetite changes or bone pain
While there are many potential causes, night sweats meeting any of the above criteria warrant medical evaluation to look for underlying conditions such as cancers.
Causes Other Than Cancer
It’s important to note night sweats are not always indicative of cancer. Some other causes include:
- Infections – such as TB, endocarditis, osteomyelitis
- Hormone disorders – menopause, hyperthyroidism
- Medications and drug withdrawals
- Neurologic conditions – post-stroke, autonomic neuropathy
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Anxiety, panic attacks
- Idiopathic hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of unknown cause)
Your doctor can help determine the cause through a clinical evaluation and testing as needed.
Conclusion
Night sweats are a common symptom in several cancers, especially lymphomas, leukemias and multiple myeloma. They also occur in some solid tumor cancers. Severe, recurrent or unexplained night sweats warrant medical assessment. While cancers are an important cause, night sweats can result from a variety of medical conditions.