Definitions and Tools to Assessing Cancer Cachexia: a Review

Abstract

Introduction: Weight loss is the main feature in cachectic cancer patient leading a significant muscle mass and adipose tissue depletion which have being increasing mortality. Actual interest in cancer cachexia has caused a development of different tools, scores or criteria used to assessing the staging of malnutrition and/or weight loss cachexia related. Purpose: This review aims to show new cachexia definitions and tools that have been discussed to determinate cachexia in cancer. Method: It was performed a literature review of definitions and tools to determine and/or diagnose cancer cachexia. Articles published from January 2000 until August 2013. The base data used was the PubMed/Medline (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). Results: Recently three cachexia definitions have been published by Society for Cachexia and Wasting Disorders, European Palliative Care Research Collaborative; Special Interest Group on Cachexia and Anorexia of the European Society for Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition. Many tools to determine cancer cachexia are useful like weight loss, body mass index, nutritional screening and Body composition (Bioelectrical Impedance), Image tools (Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, Computed tomography and Magnetic Resonance) and Combining assessment with inflammatory markers. Conclusion: Studies had been considered clinically important weight loss (varying from 5% to 20% or more) and this are correlated with increased morbidity and mortality. Weight loss is the main symptom reported by cancer patients leading to cachexia and it is too critical for disease progression, therefore, clinicians should be watchful to this complaint.