Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses and Risk FactorsCachexia SymptomsComplicationsDiagnosisTreatmentSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes and Risk Factors
Cachexia Symptoms
Complications
Diagnosis
Treatment
Summary
Cachexiais a syndrome that happens in people who are very sick with a chronic illness or serious disease. Cachexia is the medical term forunintentional weight loss, progressive muscle wasting, and aloss of appetite.
A number of treatment approaches have been evaluated ranging from diet to dietary supplements, to medications, but can be challenging as cachexia is more than just a lack of calories in the body. Newer research suggests that exercise, though counterintuitive, may help.
This article will go over the causes of cachexia in people with cancer and other conditions. It also covers how cancer cachexia can affect treatment and how the syndrome can be managed.
Verywell / JR Bee
Cancer
People who have cancer often develop cachexia. The syndrome is thought to be directly responsible for 20% of cancer deaths in the United States.Cachexia occurs in up to 80% of people with advanced cancer.Cancer cachexia is also referred to as cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome.
Other Conditions
Along with cancer, cachexia is also associated with a multitude of other chronic conditions. These include:
Recent research suggests that cachexia often begins even before any weight loss occurs, so early on there may not be any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they include:
Involuntary (Unintentional) Weight Loss
Weight loss with cachexia is involuntary, meaning that it occurs without trying. Yet it goes further thanunexplained weight loss. Weight loss may occur even if calorie intake is adequate; energy output matters. Unintentional weight loss is defined as the loss of 5% of body weight over a six-month to 12-month period, but even smaller amounts of weight loss could be of concern.
Skeletal Muscle Wasting
Muscle wasting is a hallmark of cachexia and occurs along with a loss of fat. It can also be fairly insidious. In people who are overweight at the time of their diagnosis, significant loss of muscle mass can occur without an obvious outward appearance of weight loss.
Anorexia/Loss of Appetite
Cachexia can causeloss of appetite, which is not the same as the typical “loss of appetite” symptom. In this case, it’s not just a reduced desire for food, but a complete lack of interest in eating.
One of the most detrimental effects of cachexia is the interference with treatments of the condition causing it and lowering the body’s response to that treatment. For example, people with cancer are less able to tolerate treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, and often have more side effects and complications after surgeries.
Cachexia also increases the symptom burden of the underlying disease. It worsenscancer fatigue, one of the most common symptoms of cancer, and lowers tolerance to the pain of conditions such as respiratory disease.
The process of muscle wasting that accompanies cachexia can lead to difficulty walking and participating in enjoyable activities. It can eventually lead to the loss of the ability to live independently.
All of these changes and more can significantly diminish your quality of life and increase risk of morbidity.
Can a Person Recover From Cachexia?
The best hope for recovery from cachexia is to improve the underlying condition at the root of it. Treatment approaches to date have been fairly disappointing, and even with adequate calorie intake, it is difficult to reverse the process of cachexia once it begins.
Even though the symptoms and signs of cachexia may be noticed well after the onset of disease, researchers are learning that the process leading to muscle wasting begins very early on after a diagnosis. As such, cachexia is often presentbeforeany weight loss occurs.
There are several ways that cachexia can be evaluated. Some of these measures include:
There are a number of screening tools that look at a combination of the above in order to identify cachexia, such as the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). However, there is no single screening tool that is effective in detecting cachexia in every case.
Dividing cachexia into stages or grades can give healthcare providers a better understanding of its natural history, but of greatest concern is that cachexia is diagnosed as early as possible. Despite the number of tools available, following a person over time and checking serial body weights can give a better idea of changes.
Researchers have developed a cachexia staging score for people with advanced cancer. A different number of points are assigned to each component and added together to separate cachexia into three stages. These components include:
Stages
Based on scoring, precachexia and cachexia can then be broken down into four stages:
Grades
A study published in 2015 in theJournal of Clinical Oncologydivided cancer cachexia into 5 grades. Researchers found that for each increase in grade, survival decreased significantly. Grades were as follows:
The first step in treatment is to treat any physical symptoms or conditions that could lead to a decreased appetite or ability to eat. These include:
In many cases, simple changes in diet can reduce symptoms, such as eating with plastic utensils if you have “metal mouth” or choosingfoods to manage gastroparesis.
The aim of treatment is to stimulate “anabolic processes” (that is, muscle building) while inhibiting “catabolic processes” (the actions that result in the breakdown of muscle).
At the current time, most researchers believe a combination of treatments (multimodality therapy) is essential. These include:
Diet
Contrary to what may seem obvious, replacing and supplementing calories in the diet has not made a big difference in the syndrome of cachexia. That said, it’s very important to make sure that people coping with cancer (and similar conditions that cause cachexia) have a healthy diet.
One important point to keep in mind is that if someone has not been eating much for a period of time, intake should be increased gradually. If calories are pushed too rapidly, a side effect called “overfeeding syndrome” may occur. When eating is not possible orally (or is limited), a feeding tube may be recommended.
Many healthcare providers recommend eating frequent small meals with an emphasis on calorie-dense foods.
Nutrition counseling may be helpful in addressing any symptoms that lead to decreased intake and giving you ideas for foods to try that you may not have thought about.
Nutritional supplements such as Ensure are often recommended, butshould notbe used as a substitute for meals. It’s usually recommended that when used, these products should be consumedbetweenmeals.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
It’s ideal if nutrients can be obtained through food, but we know that’s not always the case. Fish oil has been evaluated for its ability to treat cachexia with some studies (but not all) suggesting it may be helpful.
Amino Acid Supplements
Centers focused on recognizing and treating cachexia also often recommend amino acid supplements, particularly glutamine, L-carnitine, and L-arginine. These amino acids are being evaluated in combination with other therapies to assess their potential benefit.
Exercise
It may seem counterintuitive, but increasing activity (if possible) may help. An obvious benefit of exercise is increased appetite, but endurance training may go beyond eating habits to help slow the decline in muscle mass seen with cachexia. It’s thought that exercise may reduce inflammation and also affect metabolism in muscles themselves.
Appetite Stimulants
Appetite stimulants have been used for treating cachexia, though their effects are unclear. These include:
One study of an appetite stimulant called megestrol acetate (MA) found that for people with cachexia syndrome, it is associated with a greater risk of blood clots, fluid retention (which causes foot and hand swelling), and even death.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications such as Celebrex (celecoxib) have shown some promise, particularly if evidence of inflammation is present (for example, if C-reactive protein is elevated). There is some evidence that these medications may improve prognosis.
Medical Marijuana
Thus far the evidence for the use of cannabis for cancer-related cachexia-anorexia is equivocal. Hopefully, with changes in regulations leading to a greater ability to study substances such as THC and CBD in clinical trials, the question of their efficacy will be addressed.
Clinical Trials
A wide range of medications have been investigated to some degree for their potential role in addressing cachexia. Both selective androgen receptor modulators and medications that target the ghrelin receptor (ghrelin is the hunger hormone) are being studied.
Drugs that target inflammatory compounds such ascytokines(which contribute to muscle breakdown) are intriguing. The body produces cytokines to help kill cancer cells, but cytokines also tend to shift the body towards a state ofcatabolism(breakdown). Finally, as with many conditions, efforts to target gut bacteria deserve further study.
Cachexia is a condition that causes severe weight loss and muscle wastage during the later stages of illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, or HIV/AIDS. It is often irreversible.
It can lower the body’s immunity, interfere with the treatment and healing of the underlying cause, and greatly diminish one’s quality of life.
Treatment incorporates several types of therapies including medications like appetite stimulants, nutritional supplements, and exercise.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hardee JP, Counts BR, Carson JA.Understanding the role of exercise in cancer cachexia therapy.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(1):46-60. doi:10.1177/1559827617725283Ni J, Zhang L.Cancer cachexia: definition, staging, and emerging treatments.Cancer Manag Res. 2020;12:5597-5605. doi:10.2147/CMAR.S261585National Cancer Institute.Cancer cachexia: after years of no advances, progress looks possible.Wyart E, Bindels LB, Mina E, Menga A, Stanga S, Porporato PE.Cachexia, a systemic disease beyond muscle atrophy.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(22):8592. doi:10.3390/ijms21228592Gaddey HL, Holder KK.Unintentional weight loss in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(1):34-40.Law ML.Cancer cachexia: Pathophysiology and association with cancer-related pain.Front Pain Res. 2022;3:971295. doi:10.3389/fpain.2022.971295Dev R.Measuring cachexia—diagnostic criteria.Ann Palliat Med. 2019;8(1):24-32. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.08.07Martin L, Senesse P, Gioulbasanis I, et al.Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss.J Clin Oncol. 202015;33(1):90-99. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.56.1894de Castro GS, Andrade MF, Pinto FCS, Faiad JZ, Seelaender M.Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and its impact on systemic inflammation and body weight in patients with cancer cachexia—a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2022;8:797513. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.797513Sánchez-Lara K, Turcott JG, Juárez-Hernández E, et al.Effects of an oral nutritional supplement containing eicosapentaenoic acid on nutritional and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: randomised trial.Clin Nutr. 2014;33(6):1017-1023. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2014.03.006Ordu C, Pilanci KN, Koksal UI, et al.Can megestrol acetate induce thrombosis in advanced oncology patients receiving chemotherapy?.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(23):10165-10169. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.23.10165Advani SM, Advani PG, VonVille HM, Jafri SH.Pharmacological management of cachexia in adult cancer patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.BMC Cancer. 2018;18(1):1174. doi:10.1186/s12885-018-5080-4Wang J, Wang Y, Tong M, Pan H, Li D.Medical cannabinoids for cancer cachexia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Biomed Res Int. 2019;2019:2864384. doi:10.1155/2019/2864384Additional ReadingAdvani SM, Advani PG, VonVille HM, Jafri SH.Pharmacological management of cachexia in adult cancer patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.BMC Cancer.2018. 18(1):1174. doi:10.1186/s12885-018-5080-4Dev R, Wong A, Hui D, Bruera E.The Evolving Approach to Management of Cancer Cachexia.Oncology (Williston Park).2017. 31(1):23-32.Dev R.Measuring cachexia-diagnostic criteria. Annals of Palliative Medicine. 2019. 8(1):24-32. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.08.07Fearon K, Strasser F, Anker SD, et al.Definition and Classification of Cancer Cachexia: an International Consensus.Lancet Oncology. 2011. 12(5):489-95. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70218-7Genton L, Mareschal J, Charretier Y, et al.Targeting the Gut Microbiota to Treat Cachexia.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2019. 9:305. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00305Martin L, Kubrak C.How Much Does Reduced Food Intake Contribute to Cancer-Associated Weight Loss.Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care.2018. 12(4):410-419 doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000379Martin L, Senesse P, Gioulbasanis I, et al.Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss.Journal of Clinical Oncology.2015. 33(1):90-9. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.56.1894Schcolnik-Cabrera A, Chavez-Blanco A, Dominquez-Gomez G, Duenas-Gonzalez A.Understanding tumor anabolism and patient catabolism in cancer-associated cachexia.American Journal of Cancer Research.2017. 7(5): 1107–1135.Wang J, Wang Y, Tong M, Pan H, Li D.Medical Cannabinoids for Cancer Cachexia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.BioMed Research International.2019:2864384. doi:10.1155/2019/2864384
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hardee JP, Counts BR, Carson JA.Understanding the role of exercise in cancer cachexia therapy.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(1):46-60. doi:10.1177/1559827617725283Ni J, Zhang L.Cancer cachexia: definition, staging, and emerging treatments.Cancer Manag Res. 2020;12:5597-5605. doi:10.2147/CMAR.S261585National Cancer Institute.Cancer cachexia: after years of no advances, progress looks possible.Wyart E, Bindels LB, Mina E, Menga A, Stanga S, Porporato PE.Cachexia, a systemic disease beyond muscle atrophy.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(22):8592. doi:10.3390/ijms21228592Gaddey HL, Holder KK.Unintentional weight loss in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(1):34-40.Law ML.Cancer cachexia: Pathophysiology and association with cancer-related pain.Front Pain Res. 2022;3:971295. doi:10.3389/fpain.2022.971295Dev R.Measuring cachexia—diagnostic criteria.Ann Palliat Med. 2019;8(1):24-32. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.08.07Martin L, Senesse P, Gioulbasanis I, et al.Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss.J Clin Oncol. 202015;33(1):90-99. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.56.1894de Castro GS, Andrade MF, Pinto FCS, Faiad JZ, Seelaender M.Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and its impact on systemic inflammation and body weight in patients with cancer cachexia—a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2022;8:797513. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.797513Sánchez-Lara K, Turcott JG, Juárez-Hernández E, et al.Effects of an oral nutritional supplement containing eicosapentaenoic acid on nutritional and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: randomised trial.Clin Nutr. 2014;33(6):1017-1023. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2014.03.006Ordu C, Pilanci KN, Koksal UI, et al.Can megestrol acetate induce thrombosis in advanced oncology patients receiving chemotherapy?.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(23):10165-10169. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.23.10165Advani SM, Advani PG, VonVille HM, Jafri SH.Pharmacological management of cachexia in adult cancer patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.BMC Cancer. 2018;18(1):1174. doi:10.1186/s12885-018-5080-4Wang J, Wang Y, Tong M, Pan H, Li D.Medical cannabinoids for cancer cachexia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Biomed Res Int. 2019;2019:2864384. doi:10.1155/2019/2864384Additional ReadingAdvani SM, Advani PG, VonVille HM, Jafri SH.Pharmacological management of cachexia in adult cancer patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.BMC Cancer.2018. 18(1):1174. doi:10.1186/s12885-018-5080-4Dev R, Wong A, Hui D, Bruera E.The Evolving Approach to Management of Cancer Cachexia.Oncology (Williston Park).2017. 31(1):23-32.Dev R.Measuring cachexia-diagnostic criteria. Annals of Palliative Medicine. 2019. 8(1):24-32. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.08.07Fearon K, Strasser F, Anker SD, et al.Definition and Classification of Cancer Cachexia: an International Consensus.Lancet Oncology. 2011. 12(5):489-95. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70218-7Genton L, Mareschal J, Charretier Y, et al.Targeting the Gut Microbiota to Treat Cachexia.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2019. 9:305. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00305Martin L, Kubrak C.How Much Does Reduced Food Intake Contribute to Cancer-Associated Weight Loss.Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care.2018. 12(4):410-419 doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000379Martin L, Senesse P, Gioulbasanis I, et al.Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss.Journal of Clinical Oncology.2015. 33(1):90-9. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.56.1894Schcolnik-Cabrera A, Chavez-Blanco A, Dominquez-Gomez G, Duenas-Gonzalez A.Understanding tumor anabolism and patient catabolism in cancer-associated cachexia.American Journal of Cancer Research.2017. 7(5): 1107–1135.Wang J, Wang Y, Tong M, Pan H, Li D.Medical Cannabinoids for Cancer Cachexia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.BioMed Research International.2019:2864384. doi:10.1155/2019/2864384
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hardee JP, Counts BR, Carson JA.Understanding the role of exercise in cancer cachexia therapy.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(1):46-60. doi:10.1177/1559827617725283Ni J, Zhang L.Cancer cachexia: definition, staging, and emerging treatments.Cancer Manag Res. 2020;12:5597-5605. doi:10.2147/CMAR.S261585National Cancer Institute.Cancer cachexia: after years of no advances, progress looks possible.Wyart E, Bindels LB, Mina E, Menga A, Stanga S, Porporato PE.Cachexia, a systemic disease beyond muscle atrophy.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(22):8592. doi:10.3390/ijms21228592Gaddey HL, Holder KK.Unintentional weight loss in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(1):34-40.Law ML.Cancer cachexia: Pathophysiology and association with cancer-related pain.Front Pain Res. 2022;3:971295. doi:10.3389/fpain.2022.971295Dev R.Measuring cachexia—diagnostic criteria.Ann Palliat Med. 2019;8(1):24-32. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.08.07Martin L, Senesse P, Gioulbasanis I, et al.Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss.J Clin Oncol. 202015;33(1):90-99. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.56.1894de Castro GS, Andrade MF, Pinto FCS, Faiad JZ, Seelaender M.Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and its impact on systemic inflammation and body weight in patients with cancer cachexia—a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2022;8:797513. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.797513Sánchez-Lara K, Turcott JG, Juárez-Hernández E, et al.Effects of an oral nutritional supplement containing eicosapentaenoic acid on nutritional and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: randomised trial.Clin Nutr. 2014;33(6):1017-1023. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2014.03.006Ordu C, Pilanci KN, Koksal UI, et al.Can megestrol acetate induce thrombosis in advanced oncology patients receiving chemotherapy?.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(23):10165-10169. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.23.10165Advani SM, Advani PG, VonVille HM, Jafri SH.Pharmacological management of cachexia in adult cancer patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.BMC Cancer. 2018;18(1):1174. doi:10.1186/s12885-018-5080-4Wang J, Wang Y, Tong M, Pan H, Li D.Medical cannabinoids for cancer cachexia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Biomed Res Int. 2019;2019:2864384. doi:10.1155/2019/2864384
Hardee JP, Counts BR, Carson JA.Understanding the role of exercise in cancer cachexia therapy.Am J Lifestyle Med. 2017;13(1):46-60. doi:10.1177/1559827617725283
Ni J, Zhang L.Cancer cachexia: definition, staging, and emerging treatments.Cancer Manag Res. 2020;12:5597-5605. doi:10.2147/CMAR.S261585
National Cancer Institute.Cancer cachexia: after years of no advances, progress looks possible.
Wyart E, Bindels LB, Mina E, Menga A, Stanga S, Porporato PE.Cachexia, a systemic disease beyond muscle atrophy.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(22):8592. doi:10.3390/ijms21228592
Gaddey HL, Holder KK.Unintentional weight loss in older adults.Am Fam Physician. 2021;104(1):34-40.
Law ML.Cancer cachexia: Pathophysiology and association with cancer-related pain.Front Pain Res. 2022;3:971295. doi:10.3389/fpain.2022.971295
Dev R.Measuring cachexia—diagnostic criteria.Ann Palliat Med. 2019;8(1):24-32. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.08.07
Martin L, Senesse P, Gioulbasanis I, et al.Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss.J Clin Oncol. 202015;33(1):90-99. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.56.1894
de Castro GS, Andrade MF, Pinto FCS, Faiad JZ, Seelaender M.Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and its impact on systemic inflammation and body weight in patients with cancer cachexia—a systematic review and meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2022;8:797513. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.797513
Sánchez-Lara K, Turcott JG, Juárez-Hernández E, et al.Effects of an oral nutritional supplement containing eicosapentaenoic acid on nutritional and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: randomised trial.Clin Nutr. 2014;33(6):1017-1023. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2014.03.006
Ordu C, Pilanci KN, Koksal UI, et al.Can megestrol acetate induce thrombosis in advanced oncology patients receiving chemotherapy?.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(23):10165-10169. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.23.10165
Advani SM, Advani PG, VonVille HM, Jafri SH.Pharmacological management of cachexia in adult cancer patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.BMC Cancer. 2018;18(1):1174. doi:10.1186/s12885-018-5080-4
Wang J, Wang Y, Tong M, Pan H, Li D.Medical cannabinoids for cancer cachexia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Biomed Res Int. 2019;2019:2864384. doi:10.1155/2019/2864384
Advani SM, Advani PG, VonVille HM, Jafri SH.Pharmacological management of cachexia in adult cancer patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.BMC Cancer.2018. 18(1):1174. doi:10.1186/s12885-018-5080-4Dev R, Wong A, Hui D, Bruera E.The Evolving Approach to Management of Cancer Cachexia.Oncology (Williston Park).2017. 31(1):23-32.Dev R.Measuring cachexia-diagnostic criteria. Annals of Palliative Medicine. 2019. 8(1):24-32. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.08.07Fearon K, Strasser F, Anker SD, et al.Definition and Classification of Cancer Cachexia: an International Consensus.Lancet Oncology. 2011. 12(5):489-95. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70218-7Genton L, Mareschal J, Charretier Y, et al.Targeting the Gut Microbiota to Treat Cachexia.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2019. 9:305. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00305Martin L, Kubrak C.How Much Does Reduced Food Intake Contribute to Cancer-Associated Weight Loss.Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care.2018. 12(4):410-419 doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000379Martin L, Senesse P, Gioulbasanis I, et al.Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss.Journal of Clinical Oncology.2015. 33(1):90-9. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.56.1894Schcolnik-Cabrera A, Chavez-Blanco A, Dominquez-Gomez G, Duenas-Gonzalez A.Understanding tumor anabolism and patient catabolism in cancer-associated cachexia.American Journal of Cancer Research.2017. 7(5): 1107–1135.Wang J, Wang Y, Tong M, Pan H, Li D.Medical Cannabinoids for Cancer Cachexia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.BioMed Research International.2019:2864384. doi:10.1155/2019/2864384
Advani SM, Advani PG, VonVille HM, Jafri SH.Pharmacological management of cachexia in adult cancer patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.BMC Cancer.2018. 18(1):1174. doi:10.1186/s12885-018-5080-4
Dev R, Wong A, Hui D, Bruera E.The Evolving Approach to Management of Cancer Cachexia.Oncology (Williston Park).2017. 31(1):23-32.
Dev R.Measuring cachexia-diagnostic criteria. Annals of Palliative Medicine. 2019. 8(1):24-32. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.08.07
Fearon K, Strasser F, Anker SD, et al.Definition and Classification of Cancer Cachexia: an International Consensus.Lancet Oncology. 2011. 12(5):489-95. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70218-7
Genton L, Mareschal J, Charretier Y, et al.Targeting the Gut Microbiota to Treat Cachexia.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2019. 9:305. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2019.00305
Martin L, Kubrak C.How Much Does Reduced Food Intake Contribute to Cancer-Associated Weight Loss.Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care.2018. 12(4):410-419 doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000379
Martin L, Senesse P, Gioulbasanis I, et al.Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss.Journal of Clinical Oncology.2015. 33(1):90-9. doi:10.1200/JCO.2014.56.1894
Schcolnik-Cabrera A, Chavez-Blanco A, Dominquez-Gomez G, Duenas-Gonzalez A.Understanding tumor anabolism and patient catabolism in cancer-associated cachexia.American Journal of Cancer Research.2017. 7(5): 1107–1135.
Wang J, Wang Y, Tong M, Pan H, Li D.Medical Cannabinoids for Cancer Cachexia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.BioMed Research International.2019:2864384. doi:10.1155/2019/2864384
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
