Serum levels can sometimes detect neoplasms in asymptomatic individuals.
Evidence for an immune response to tumors in humans includes the observations that lymphohistiocytic infiltrates of tumors and increased blood NK levels are associated with improved survival. Cachexia is a profound weight loss occurring as a response to cancer mediated primarily by TNF- a and other cytokines. Gross photo of liver shows massive involvement by metastatic colon adenocarcinoma. Note pale are of obstructive pneumonia near tumor. Hypercalcemia commonly results due to local bone destruction, rather than systemic paraneoplastic effects.