Periodic (Pel-Ebstein) fever of lymphomas.

During lymphomatous diseases, bouts of intermittent or relapsing Pel-Ebstein fever occasionally repeat in remarkably regular tempo resembling the episodes of benign periodic fever. Febrile episodes alone, especially during acute lymphomatous disease, occasionally precede overt evidence of underlying disease for months. In that event, diagnosis and treatment of lymphomas are delayed. Regular febrile bouts are either uniquely characteristic of lymphomas or represent the imposition of periodic fever. Apprehension of malignant disease during benign periodic fever may induce intensive investigation. Malignant disease has not ensued in reported cases of periodic fever.