Cachexia, a life-threatening syndrome causing severe weight loss and muscle depletion, affects up to 80% of patients with advanced cancer, especially those with pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, head and neck, lung, and liver cancers. The condition results from a complex interplay of tumor-related and patient-specific factors, including prolonged anti-cancer treatment effects that disrupt endocrine function. This leads to decreased appetite, reduced food intake, increased catabolism, and chronic fatigue, creating a cycle that worsens the clinical condition, negatively impacts quality of life, and is a primary cause of mortality in 20% to 30% of patients with cancer.

Addressing cachexia requires promptly identifying at-risk individuals and optimizing nutritional care. Updated guidelines from The American Society of Clinical Oncology and European Society for Medical Oncology provide direction for diagnosing, assessing, and managing cancer cachexia, but challenges persist in clinical practice. This review explores existing knowledge on cachexia diagnosis and management, highlights clinical challenges and unmet needs, and discusses recent advancements. The goal is to integrate new strategies and therapeutic options into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Reference: Bianchini C, Bonomo P, Bossi P, Caccialanza R, Fabi A. Bridging gaps in cancer cachexia Care: Current insights and future perspectives. Cancer Treat Rev. 2024;125:102717. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102717.