Cancer cachexia and fatigue

Abstract

Cancer caehexia has no agreed definition but represents a wasting syndrome involving loss of muscle and fat caused directly by tumour factors and/or indirectly by abnormal host response to tumour presence. Patients with cancer cachexia develop chronic negative energy and protein balance driven by a combination of reduced food intake (secondary to anorexia) and metabolic change. The management of cachexia requires a dedicated multidisciplinary team and is best commenced earlier rather than later. No single or combined treatment strategy will be successful in all patients.