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A little-known warning sign of a potentially life-threatening condition could appear on your pillowcases and bed linen come morning, health professionals have cautioned. Profuse night sweats that leave visible traces may signal cancer.

Cancer symptoms generally vary depending on where the illness develops within the body. For instance, a lingering cough might suggest lung cancer, whilst discovering blood in faeces could point towards bowel cancer.

However, certain indicators are more ambiguous and can be readily dismissed or misinterpreted- such as night sweats.

Experiencing a certain amount of sweating during sleep is perfectly normal, affected by elements including bedroom temperature and whether you sleep alongside someone.

However, if you routinely awaken to discover yourself, your pillow, or your bedding drenched in moisture, this warrants medical attention.

The NHS says: "Most people sweat during the night. If you regularly wake up with soaking wet sheets you should get it checked by a GP. Night sweats are when you sweat so much that your night clothes and bedding are soaking wet, even though where you're sleeping is cool."

Cancer Research UK identifies "very heavy night sweats" amongst the general indicators of cancer. That said, it might equally result from pharmaceutical treatments or less severe ailments.

According to the charity: "Sweating at night or having a high temperature (fever) can be caused by infections or a side effect of certain medications. It's also often experienced by women around the time of the menopause. But speak to your doctor if you have very heavy, drenching night sweats, or an unexplained fever."

The NHS highlights that certain cancers may lead to increased perspiration. These include:

• Kidney cancer
• Germ cell tumours
• Mesothelioma
• Leukaemia
• Advanced medullary thyroid cancer
• Carcinoid tumours
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Bone cancer
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Prostate cancer

Leukaemia Care indicates that roughly 30 per cent of those diagnosed with the condition report experiencing nocturnal sweating. "It is certainly not unusual to sweat during the night, especially in the summer when your room or bedding becomes too hot," the organisation notes.

"However, severe night sweats that occur to an extent that your bed sheets or pyjamas become soaking wet, despite sleeping in a cool environment, can sometimes be a sign of leukaemia."

The charity draws a distinction between ordinary night sweats and those linked to cancer. "You regularly have night sweats that wake you up at night - you may wake up drenched in sweat, unable to cool down even if your room is cool," Leukaemia Care explains.

"Many describe the feeling as if they had just got out of a swimming pool and laid down in bed."

The NHS advises consulting your GP if:

• You're experiencing night sweats and unexplained weight loss
• Additionally, you have a high fever (or feel hot and shivery), a cough or diarrhoea
• You're having frequent night sweats that disrupt your sleep or cause worry