Cyclo-oxygenase II inhibitors in the treatment of neoplastic fever.

Neoplastic fever is relatively common in cancer patients. Naproxen is one of the most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of neoplastic fever. Naproxen is associated with platelet dysfunction and gastrointestinal side effects. We substituted rofecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-II inhibitor, for naproxen in patients with a previous history of, or a newly diagnosed, neoplastic fever in whom naproxen was relatively contraindicated. In all patients the fever resolved completely without any side effects.