Onkológia 2/2013
Metabolic basics of cancer cachexia and pharmaconutrition
Cancer cachexia is one of the most difficult sections of medicine. Currently, there are the changes in terminology and even methodology of nutritional support, especially in the case of refractory cachexia. The great acquisition are the new developments in nutritional pharmacology and taking advantage of „protectins and resolvins area“ in the treatment of cancer cachexia in relation to omega-3 fatty acids, predominantly eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid. The common metabolic consequence of cancer cachexia is the development of metabolic acidosis, which should be treated by acid-base corrections and catabolism supression. Also, there are changes in interpretation of short half-time protein concentrations, e.g. prealbumin and transferrin. Their relation to proteinaceous inflammatory reactants enables to assess the degree of cancer cachexia. The significant gain in nutritional support and arteficial nutrition is the guidelines formulation, which are mandatory as a part of cancer treatment in many countries.
