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Evolving classification systems for cancer cachexia: ready for clinical practice?

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Abstract

Introduction

Involuntary weight loss, the defining factor of cachexia, is a common consequence of advanced cancer.

Discussion

This review summarizes the actual cachexia definitions and classification systems (NCCTG-studies, Loprinzi et al.; PG-SGA, Ottery et al.; Cachexia Consensus Conference, Evans et al; Cancer Cachexia Study Group, Fearon et al.; and SCRINIO Working group, Bozzetti et al.). We describe the ongoing development of a new classification system for cancer cachexia, which is based on literature reviews and Delphi processes within the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative. The review describes the evolving understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of cachexia and outlines an overview on treatment options.

Conclusion

In this review an outlook on the requirements of a new decision guiding instrument is given and the challenges in clinical decision making in palliative are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oncological Palliative Medicine, Division of Oncology/Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Palliative Care Center, Cantonal Hospital, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    David Blum, Aurelius Omlin & Florian Strasser

  2. Clinical and Surgical Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Royal Infirmary, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

    Ken Fearon

  3. Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Vickie Baracos

  4. Department of Palliative Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Lukas Radbruch

  5. Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Trondheim, Norway

    Stein Kaasa

Authors
  1. David Blum
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  2. Aurelius Omlin
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  3. Ken Fearon
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  4. Vickie Baracos
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  5. Lukas Radbruch
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  6. Stein Kaasa
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  7. Florian Strasser
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European Palliative Care Research Collaborative

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Correspondence to Florian Strasser.

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The authors are part of the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative.

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Blum, D., Omlin, A., Fearon, K. et al. Evolving classification systems for cancer cachexia: ready for clinical practice?. Support Care Cancer 18, 273–279 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0800-6

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