Cancer cachexia Cancer induced weight loss

[Mary_K42]

My husband was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer on May 5. He has had 3 Chemotherapy treatments and scheduled for another next week which will be followed by an assessment. He hasn't had a lot of bad side effects but did have a 9 day hospitalization because he developed pancreatitis after a stent was placed to open the bile duct. Our big worry is cancer cachexia which along with lack of appetite has caused him to lose a lot of weight. Everything I have seen says there is nothing to do directly but continue to treat the cancer. Not sure if there are other answers

[kristinaapril]

Hi Mary, welcome, though sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. Since your husband already has a lack of appetite, has your doctor conducted any tests to confirm cachexia? While there is not an exact blood-test to run to confirm, typically a variation of a WBC, serum albumin, uric acid, and transferrin levels are conducted.

Have you and your husband spoken to your team about his lack of appetite and possible medication that can help? There are certain appetite stimulator tablets (Dronabinol, Metoclopramide, and Megestrol acetate) along with certain steroids (prednisone or dexamethasone). Alcohol, in small quantities can also help stimulate an appetite, though I don't think a doctor will recommend that remedy ;).

If your husband is not having severe side effects from chemo (which cachexia typically causes), it probably is the best that he continues treatment. Cachexia is a complex condition, but it's believe that tumors can cause a disruption in levels of substances ( high cytokines, low albumin, etc). There is some evidence to suggest that exercise can help cachexia (since an individual is actively using the muscle, which can stop decay).

Megestrol acetate has found significant results in decreasing cytokines. For oncology patients, they saw an increase appetite, weight gain, and better quality of life. Here is the study: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... - I would ask your team if this is an option (or another stimulator).

Best of luck,

Kris x.