Alterations in inflammatory biomarkers and energy intake in cancer cachexia: a prospective study in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer.

Chronic systemic inflammatory response is proposed as an underlying mechanism for development of cancer cachexia. We conducted a prospective study to examine changes in inflammatory biomarkers during the disease course and the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and cachexia in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Twenty patients, median (range) age 67.

Symptoms in advanced pancreatic cancer are of importance for energy intake.

Purpose: Cancer cachexia and low energy intake (EI) probably contribute to weight loss in advanced pancreatic cancer (PC). However, little is known about the actual EI in this disease. Aims were to assess EI, weight loss and symptoms during the disease course and investigate associations between symptoms and EI.