The cancer cachexia syndrome

The cancer cachexia syndrome is clinically characterized by anorexia, wasting, weight loss, weakness, fatigue, poor performance status, and impaired immune function, which are unresolved by forced caloric intake. Diminished nutritional intake, maladaptive metabolic processes, and increased metabolic expenditure all play roles in the development of this syndrome. Multiple mediators of both tumor and host cell origin are mechanistic in its etiology. Treatment is not entirely satisfactory and should be directed toward improvement in the quality of life of the patient and should often include nutritional counseling. It should take into consideration both disease and treatment related factors as well as the cachexia syndrome itself. Use of progestogens (megesterol acetate, medroxyprogesterone), corticosteroids (decadron, prednisone), metoclopramide, tetrahydrocannabinol (dronabinol), and possibly anabolic steroids (nandrolone decanoate, oxandrolone), melatonin, and eicosapentaenoic acid, may yield therapeutic benefit.