Cancer cachexia and treatment toxicity

Purpose of review Cancer cachexia is a metabolic disturbance resulting in a loss of skeletal muscle mass that is generally not reversed through traditional nutritional interventions. We review on both the impact of nutritional status on cancer treatment side effects, as well as cancer- specific outcomes. Recent findings Cancer-specific cachexia and sarcopenia are associated with increased treatment-associated toxicity, and overall worse cancer-specific outcomes across all cancer types in surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiotherapeutic populations. Despite the fact that cancer cachexia is generally thought to be irreversible, there is some evidence that nutritional intervention can be helpful. Summary Nutritional status is an important factor to consider in determining cancer therapy. Patients with poor nutritional status should be identified prior to the initiation of therapy and be monitored judiciously.
Source: Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care - Category: Palliative Care Tags: CACHEXIA, NUTRITION AND HYDRATION: Edited by Aminah Jatoi and Barry J.A. Laird Source Type: research