Protocolo diagnóstico y terapéutico del síndrome de anorexia y caquexia tumoral

Abstract

The cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome consists of appetite loss and a series of metabolic alterations such as loss of proteins from the muscle compartment and body fat that leads the patients to a situation of extreme malnutrition. Loss of skeletal musculature limits basic mobility and functionality and limits active treatments against the disease. It is a cause of death due to the derived complications.Treatment of this syndrome is based on adequate support treatment of the possible situations associated to lack of sufficient food and assimilation of the nutrients produced by the side effects of the cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery) such as nauseas, vomits, diarrhea or mucositis. There are appetite stimulating and weight gain treatments with demonstrated efficacy. Megestrol is the drug of first choice in these patients. Corticosteroids have a similar efficacy but more in the short term.