Onkológia 2/2012

Cancer cachexia in the perspective of the new definition

Cancer cachexia is associated with reduced overal survival and reduced tolerance of anticancer therapy . Cancer cachexia was defined as a multifactorial syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle (with or without loss of fat mass) that cannot be reversed by conventional nutritional support and leads to progressive functional impairment. Its patophysiology is characterised by a negative protein and energy balance driven by a variable combination of reduced food intake and abnormal metabolism. The following key clinical features should be assessed to characterize fenotyp of cachexia (fatigue, catabolic drive with metabolic changes and anorexia and reduced food intake) and stages of cachexia (precachexia, cachexia and refractory cachexia). In the management of cancer cachexia we discuss the pharmacological options particularly – appetite stimulants, anti-inflammatories, anabolic agents and cytokine ihibitors.

Keywords: cancer cachexia, skeletal muscle mass, nutritional support, catabolism, anorexia, pharmacotherapy of cancer cachexia.