Practical Management of Cancer Cachexia

Abstract

In cancer patients, delivery of palliative care during anticancer treatment (i.e., concurrent care) leads to enhanced clinical outcome. Nutrition therapy is part of palliative care and, therefore, should be prescribed to prevent or treat cachexia. Effective nutrition therapy is based on a thorough assessment of weight loss history, eating behaviour, changes in appetite, and the presence of nutrition impact symptoms. By identifying a patient's needs, the delivery of nutritional care (i.e., counselling, supplements, enteral or parenteral nutrition according to the "maximal use of supportive therapy" approach) has greater likelihood to be highly effective. However, a careful monitoring programme, which includes periodical check of body weight, energy and protein intake, quality of life, ensures constant adaptation of nutritional care to the changing needs of cancer patients. Nutrition therapy is becoming a key component of cancer patients management. In this new role, nutrition therapy is key in allowing cancer patients to receive and complete treatments and in improving quality of life. Whether these effects also translate into longer survival remains to be demonstrated but preliminary results are encouraging.

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