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Updated: Jun 15, 2025
The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
Published on: November 30, 2016
Exploring Cachexia: Severity, Functional Abilities, and Personal Experiences of Cancer Survivors through a
Deepika Ramalingam1, Theranirajan Ethiraj2, Shankar Shanmugam Rajendran3
1Department of Child Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Madras Medical College, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Introduction:
Cachexia, an involuntary weight loss and wasting of muscle, severely impairs the quality of life and treatment outcomes of survivors after cancer.
Objectives:
The study opted for this mixed-method design to assess cachexia severity; functional impacts of cachexia; and lived experiences among survivors with the condition.
Methods:
The cross-sectional study carried out at a tertiary care center in Chennai was based on the scores of 60 survivors of cancer, evaluated using the Cachexia Severity Score and Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy Scale, along with semi-structured interviews for six participants.
Results:
The study found a significant negative correlation between cachexia severity and functional ability (r = -0.32, P = 0.01). Cachexia severity (mean: 81.65) and functional ability (mean: 7.10) indicated significant functional impairment. Qualitative interviews highlighted emotional and physical challenges, with family support and religious beliefs as coping mechanisms, emphasizing the need for holistic care.
Conclusion:
Addressing cachexia therefore requires integrating physical rehabilitation, mental health support, and lifestyle adjustments to improve survivors' quality of life and mitigate its multidimensional impact.
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