Dear Readers,

I get a lot of reader questions on the topic of cachexia as it relates to not only cancer but other diseases. In recent years much effort on the part of researchers and clinicians have been made to improve our knowledge of cachexia syndrome and what causes it to develop. Cachexia syndrome is a condition of abnormally low weight, weakness, and general bodily decline which deteriorates quality of life and reduces the prognosis of the patients who suffer from it. Not only cancer, but also many chronic or end-stage diseases such as AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis and Crohn’s disease are associated with cachexia. Today we will focus on cancer-related cachexia and provide some insight into this troubling effect of disease.
 
Cancer cachexia is associated with more than 20% of cancer deaths. But there is still little known about this clinical issue, and our knowledge grows slowly. Much more research and many more clinical trials are needed to increase our understanding of the syndrome and to develop therapeutic strategies for one of the major symptoms of cancer.

The word “cachexia” comes from the Greek words “kakos” and “hexis,” meaning “bad conditions.” Cachexia is a complex metabolic status with progressive weight loss and depletion of patient reserves of important tissue and skeletal muscle. Cachexia represents a chronic, systemic inflammatory response, and often results in depletion of essential amino acids. In addition to metabolic changes, cachexia is also often associated with anorexia. In cancer patients there can often even be treatment-related toxicity - in patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation, subsequent nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can contribute to weight loss.

As limited treatment options exist for patients with cancer cachexia, clinical trials are studying the effects of nutritional supplementation and dietary counseling, with some success, in attempts to find methods concerning these that may help patients with cachexia. Palladium lipoic complexes, in dietary form Poly-MVA, may assist with cachexia by increasing energy, boosting appetite and providing protection against cellular breakdown through the antioxidants it contains. For more information, click here.

Although in recent years our understanding of cachexia has increased, we are still in the early stages. The FACR is dedicated to continuing support of scientists and clinicians dedicated to finding an effective treatment for cachectic patients. We have our work cut out for us in finding all the answers, but we’ll get there. If you suspect you are dealing with cachexia, are already dealing with it, or would like to do what you can to try to prevent it, I encourage you to talk to your practitioner, other cancer patients, and search online so that you are proceeding in an informed manner. If the FACR can assist you in that effort, let us know!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Sanchez