Onkologie. 2008:2(3):174-178

CANCER ANOREXIA/CACHEXIA SYNDROME

Miroslav Tomíška

Interní hematoonkologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno

Cancer cachexia is a syndrome of progressive weight loss which causes significant morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Metabolic derangements conditioned by proinflammatory cytokines, ultimately leading to muscle and fat depletion, are frequently operating early after tumor onset so cancer cachexia has to be viewed as an early phenomenon. The presence of acute phase response accounts for limited effectiveness of nutritional therapy alone especially in advanced malnutrition. However, cancer cachexia in early stages is at least partially preventable.

The easiest way of nutrition support is an early and systematic use of high-protein oral nutritional supplements to prevent further weight loss. For more severe cases, multimodal treatment containing nutritional therapy, pharmacological amelioration of acute phase response and anabolic support by physical activity and/or anabolic steroids will be necessary in the near future. The use of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in fish oil may contribute to lower the loss of weight, maintain of lean body mass and improve quality of life.

Keywords: Key words: cancer cachexia, anorexia, nutrition support.

Published: November 1, 2008  Show citation