Exploring the perspective of healthcare professionals about cachexia in cancer patients; A qualitative study

BackgroundCancer cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome that causes a gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass that cannot be fully reversed by normal nutritional support. It has considerable impact on patient's health, but it is still not well-known and well-managed in most cancer care settings. This study sought to investigate healthcare professionals (HCPs) perceptive of cachexia in cancer patients.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study design was employed. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with physicians, pharmacists and nurses working at a specialized cancer care hospital in Lahore. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis to identify key themes and sub-themes.ResultsA total of 10 HCPs participated in this study (n = 3 doctors, n = 3 nurses and n = 4 pharmacists). Five main themes were identified: Understanding cachexia, management of cachexia, inter-professional collaboration, needs of patients and families, and quality care of cachexia. Participants generally perceived cachexia as a form of expected or disease-related weight loss, reflecting limited differentiation between pathological cachexia and normal clinical decline. Management approaches were predominantly symptom-driven and largely focused on nutritional interventions. Multi-professional collaboration was described as effective strategy to support patient care. The needs of patients and families were reported to be addressed with sensitivity and structured support. Furthermore, quality management practices demonstrated a proactive orientation, emphasizing organized care processes.ConclusionThe study concluded that strengthening education, establishing structured care pathways, integrating palliative and supportive care principles can enhance clinician's confidence. Moreover, mitigating conceptual and therapeutic gaps can improve the quality of cachexia care in cancer patients.