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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
08:55
The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
Published on: November 30, 2016
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Cancer cachexia and treatment toxicity.
Shilpa Mukunda Chowdhry1, Varun Kumar Chowdhry2
1Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo.
Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
|August 8, 2019
Summary
Cancer cachexia, a metabolic issue causing muscle loss, impacts treatment side effects and outcomes. While often irreversible, nutritional interventions may offer some benefits for patients with cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Cancer cachexia is a complex metabolic disturbance characterized by significant skeletal muscle mass loss.
- This condition is frequently resistant to conventional nutritional support.
- It affects patients across various cancer types and treatment modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of nutritional status on cancer treatment side effects.
- To examine the influence of nutritional status on cancer-specific outcomes.
- To explore the potential role of nutritional interventions in managing cancer cachexia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on cancer cachexia and nutritional status.
- Analysis of the relationship between nutritional status and treatment toxicity.
- Evaluation of evidence for nutritional interventions in cancer patients.
Main Results:
- Cancer cachexia and sarcopenia are linked to increased treatment toxicity and poorer outcomes in surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiotherapeutic populations.
- Despite the general perception of irreversibility, some evidence suggests nutritional interventions can be beneficial.
- Poor nutritional status is a critical factor influencing cancer therapy and patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional status is a key determinant in cancer therapy planning and management.
- Early identification and close monitoring of patients with poor nutritional status are essential.
- While challenging, nutritional interventions may play a supportive role in mitigating the effects of cancer cachexia.
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