Contemporary Insights into Cancer Cachexia for Oncology Nurses

• Main Author: Deborah A Boyle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
• Series: Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
• Subjects: cachexia; eating; food conflict; muscle wasting; weight loss
• Online Access: http://www.apjon.org/article.asp?issn=2347-5625;year=2021;volume=8;issue=5;spage=462;epage=470;aulast=Boyle

Cachexia is a complex, multiorgan phenomenon targeting skeletal muscle resulting from systemic metabolic imbalances. Multifocal in nature, It's ultimate outcome is significant muscle degradation and loss of adipose tissue exhibited as the “wasting syndrome” which is associated with significant functional decline. Currently, there are no approved biomarkers for screening nor therapeutic options to manage cancer cachexia. Furthermore, multiple psychosocial sequelae characterize the patient and family coping paradigm. Heightened education about the pathophysiology of cancer cachexia and awareness of intra-familial emotional distress can enhance oncology nurses' advocacy about, and attentiveness to, this common manifestation of advanced cancer.