Cachexia in cancer: what is in the definition?

Objective: This study aimed to provide evidence-based results on differences in overall survival (OS) rate to guide the diagnosis of cancer cachexia.

Design: Data collection and clinical assessment was performed every 3 months (5 visits): baseline data, muscle strength, nutritional and psychosocial status. 2 definitions on cachexia using different diagnostic criteria were applied for the same patient population. Fearon 's definition is based on weight loss, body mass index (BMI) and sarcopenia. Evans nuances the contribution of sarcopenia and attaches additional attention to abnormal biochemistry parameters, fatigue and anorexia. The mean OS rates were compared between patients with and without cachexia for both definitions.

Results: Based on the population of 167 patients who enrolled, 70% developed cachexia according to Fearon 's definition and 40% according to Evans 's definition. The OS in the cachectic population is 0.97 and 0.55 years, respectively. The difference in OS between patients with and without cachexia is more significant using the diagnostic criteria of Evans . The focus of Fearon on weight loss and sarcopenia over-rates the assignment of patients to the cachectic group and OS rates have less prognostic value.

Conclusion: This study presents a correlation with prognosis in favour of Evans ' definition as a tool for cachexia diagnosis. This means that weight loss and BMI decline are both key factors in patients with cancer leading to cachexia but less decisive as stated by Fearon . Instead, extra factors gain importance in order to predict survival, such as chronic inflammation, anaemia, protein depletion, reduced food intake, fatigue, decreased muscle strength and lean tissue depletion.

Trial Registration Number: B300201112334.