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Cancer Cachexia: Beyond Weight Loss.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bruggeman, AR; Kamal, AH; LeBlanc, TW; Ma, JD; Baracos, VE; Roeland, EJ
Published in: J Oncol Pract
November 2016

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by skeletal muscle loss leading to progressive functional impairment. Despite the ubiquity of cachexia in clinical practice, prevention, early identification, and intervention remain challenging. The impact of cancer cachexia on quality of life, treatment-related toxicity, physical function, and mortality are well established; however, establishing a clinically meaningful definition has proven challenging because of the focus on weight loss alone. Attempts to more comprehensively define cachexia through body composition, physical functioning, and molecular biomarkers, while promising, are yet to be routinely incorporated into clinical practice. Pharmacologic agents that have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration but that are currently used in cancer cachexia (ie, megestrol, dronabinol) may improve weight but not outcomes of interest such as muscle mass, physical activity, or mortality. Their routine use is limited by adverse effects. For the practicing oncologist, early identification and management of cachexia is critical. Oncologists must recognize cachexia beyond weight loss alone, focusing instead on body composition and physical functioning. In fact, becoming emaciated is a late sign of cachexia that characterizes its refractory stage. Given that cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome, it requires early identification and polymodal intervention, including optimal cancer therapy, symptom management, nutrition, exercise, and psychosocial support. Consequently, oncologists have a role in ensuring that these resources are available to their patients. In addition, in light of the promising investigational agents, it remains imperative to refer patients with cachexia to clinical trials so that available options can be expanded to effectively treat this pervasive problem.

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Published In

J Oncol Pract

DOI

EISSN

1935-469X

Publication Date

November 2016

Volume

12

Issue

11

Start / End Page

1163 / 1171

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Neoplasms
  • Humans
  • Exercise
  • Cachexia
  • Body Composition
  • Biomarkers
  • 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Bruggeman, A. R., Kamal, A. H., LeBlanc, T. W., Ma, J. D., Baracos, V. E., & Roeland, E. J. (2016). Cancer Cachexia: Beyond Weight Loss. J Oncol Pract, 12(11), 1163–1171. https://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.2016.016832
Bruggeman, Andrew R., Arif H. Kamal, Thomas W. LeBlanc, Joseph D. Ma, Vickie E. Baracos, and Eric J. Roeland. “Cancer Cachexia: Beyond Weight Loss.J Oncol Pract 12, no. 11 (November 2016): 1163–71. https://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.2016.016832.
Bruggeman AR, Kamal AH, LeBlanc TW, Ma JD, Baracos VE, Roeland EJ. Cancer Cachexia: Beyond Weight Loss. J Oncol Pract. 2016 Nov;12(11):1163–71.
Bruggeman, Andrew R., et al. “Cancer Cachexia: Beyond Weight Loss.J Oncol Pract, vol. 12, no. 11, Nov. 2016, pp. 1163–71. Pubmed, doi:10.1200/JOP.2016.016832.
Bruggeman AR, Kamal AH, LeBlanc TW, Ma JD, Baracos VE, Roeland EJ. Cancer Cachexia: Beyond Weight Loss. J Oncol Pract. 2016 Nov;12(11):1163–1171.

Published In

J Oncol Pract

DOI

EISSN

1935-469X

Publication Date

November 2016

Volume

12

Issue

11

Start / End Page

1163 / 1171

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Weight Loss
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Neoplasms
  • Humans
  • Exercise
  • Cachexia
  • Body Composition
  • Biomarkers
  • 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis