Weight loss is a common and often distressing symptom for many cancer patients, significantly impacting their overall well-being. It can occur due to various reasons, either directly related to the cancer itself, the treatments used, or a combination of both. Understanding why it happens and how to control it is important in the management of quality of life and improvement of treatment results. We spoke to our expert Dr Prasad Eswaran, DMRT/MD (Radiation Oncology)/DM (Medical Oncology), ECMO, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai, who shared insights on the same.
Certain types of cancer are more likely to lead to weight loss. According to Cancer Research UK, about 60% of people with lung cancer experience a loss of appetite and significant weight loss by the time they are diagnosed. For those with upper gastrointestinal cancers, this figure rises to 80%.
According to Cancer Center, Between 31-87% of cancer patients report experiencing unexplained, unintentional weight loss. This weight loss, often 10 pounds or more, commonly occurs before a cancer diagnosis and is most frequently associated with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, oesophagus, and lungs.
Why Does Weight Loss Occur In Cancer Patients?
- Increased Rate of Metabolism: Cancer cells produce much more energy than normal cells, which is why they consume a lot of calories. A significant calorie deficit often arises even when normal or high food intake is experienced.
- Changes in Appetite: The disease itself or the treatment that a patient receives, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can cause altered tastes, nausea, and sometimes a reduction in desire for food. All these can lead to loathing of food and, therefore, reduced calorie intake.
- Digestive Problems: Tumours, especially those in the digestive system can also block or change digestive functions, thus presenting symptoms like pain, nausea, and diarrhoea, making it very hard to eat and digest.
- Cachexia: It is a complex syndrome that is typically associated with severe muscle wasting in patients with cancer. It was thought that the wasting of muscles results from the reduced calorie intake. However, it is now believed to be an intrinsic consequence of the body's inflammatory response to cancer.
Managing Weight Loss
Managing weight loss during cancer treatment requires a multi-faceted approach, combining nutritional support, symptom control, and medical interventions. Here are some management measures shared by Dr Eswaran:
- Nutritional Support: Patients might be referred to a dietitian to prepare for a personalised nutrition program. High-calorie and high-protein foods may be prescribed to ensure that the person has enough nutrients. Again, frequent small meals or snacks might be easier to eat than large-sized meals.
- Symptom Management: All patients have complaints of nausea, pain, and gastrointestinal disorders. Treatment for these includes medication along with dietary intake to try to minimise these symptoms and, consequently, induce an appetite.
- Physical Activity: Gentle exercise, as tolerated, can maintain muscle mass and overall health. Activities like walking or any other form of resistance training managed with a healthcare provider, would be beneficial.
- Medical Intervention: In some situations, patients will need to receive medications or therapies aimed at treating cachexia or its secondary conditions. Make sure to always discuss these options with your healthcare expert.
Bottomline
Dr Eswaran concluded, “Weight loss is a difficult issue in the management of the cancer patient, occurring both as an effect of the disease itself and the treatments. With an integrated approach that includes nutrition support, symptom management, physical activity and medical intervention, weight loss can be better managed, enabling a better quality of life among cancer patients. Quality-of-life maintenance in treatment can be significantly improved with collaboration with healthcare providers and a proactive approach to the challenges.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]