Body Compositional Changes in Cancer Cachexia

The cancer cachexia syndrome is characterized by profound changes in protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in anorexia, weight loss, muscle wasting, and poor performance status. Many pharmacologic agents have been used to stimulate appetite and minimize weight loss, but few have been successful in promoting lean tissue accretion and enhancing muscle function. The purpose of this review was to investigate whether body composition can be changed with drug therapy or specific nutrient components. Multimodal strategies that include physical activity appear to be necessary to promote weight stabilization and lean body mass gain in patients with cancer cachexia.