Which symptom is indicative of fluid retention in patients with malignancies?

Edema is a key symptom indicative of fluid retention, particularly in patients with malignancies. This occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the body's tissues, leading to swelling. In cancer patients, various factors can cause fluid retention, including the cancer itself, treatment side effects, or other underlying health issues. Edema may present in various parts of the body, such as the legs, abdomen, or face, and is an important clinical sign that healthcare providers monitor in these patients.

While fatigue, nausea, and weight loss are also common symptoms in cancer patients, they do not specifically point to fluid retention. Fatigue may arise from a range of causes, including anemia or the metabolic demands of the cancer, nausea can be a side effect of treatment or related to gastrointestinal involvement, and weight loss often signifies catabolism or inadequate nutritional intake. However, these symptoms lack the direct association with fluid accumulation that edema clearly represents. Therefore, edema is the most accurate choice when identifying a symptom specifically linked to fluid retention in malignancies.