Weight Loss in Cancer

Difficulties with food and fluid intake and unwanted weight loss are among the most common and difficult caring problems in cancer patients.

In the last phase of cancer, many patients Weight Loss in Cancer, are impotent, suffer from loss of appetite and show clear signs of muscle and adipose tissue breakdown. The term cachexia is used in the jargon. Many patients show signs of dehydration (dehydration). The combination of cachexia and dehydration may be caused by cancer itself or may be a result of complications of the disease and therapy.

                                  Weight Loss in Cancer

Frequency

In the final stages of cancer, 80% of patients have food intake problems. Studies show that this is one of the most important factors influencing the well-being of patients.

Causes

Many factors play a role in weight loss in advanced cancers. The most common are: a toothache, chewing and swallowing complaints, dry mouth, pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and the like. a. by ingrowth of tumor tissue into the gastrointestinal tract, lack of nutrient absorption from the intestine, respiratory problems u. a. by the ingress of tumor tissue into the respiratory tract, infections (including fungal infections), immobilization, side effects of medication - nausea, constipation and abdominal pain, mental disorders, anxiety, and restlessness.

Diagnostics

In the advanced stage of cancer, with significant weight loss and listlessness, physicians, patients, and relatives must assess how appropriate further examinations and tests are. An investigation should determine if there are therapeutic approaches for the patient. The most important thing is to talk to the patient and relatives, record the medical history, and perform a physical examination of the patient. In the overall assessment, the focus is on tumor status with the extent of tumor spread (metastasis) and other diseases of the subject. Furthermore, the performance, psychosocial situation, life expectancy and motivation for further therapy of the patient are assessed.

Therapy

The therapy aims at the alleviation, limitation, and prevention of complaints. Therapy for advanced cancer depends on the patient's diagnosis, problem definition, and life expectancy. A good dialogue with the patient is very important to explain the advantages and disadvantages of a therapy. You may want to get in touch with a dietician.

Activities

It should be weighed according to the overall situation of the patient, whether chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy should be continued. Complications should be treated as possible. Also, psychosocial support in the form of meal and family conversation is important. You may be able to try nutritional supplements. In some cases, a drug therapy is possible. The artificial diet is usually recommended only for a short time in case of complications or other acute diseases.

Medical Therapy

After careful examination, a drug therapy can be initiated to stimulate appetite and counteract weight loss. With a low life expectancy, corticosteroids can be used to stimulate the appetite. The treatment of complications should be based on their cause, eg. For example, fungi in the oral cavity can lead to dysphagia.

Fluid Therapy

In the early phase of palliative care, fluid can be administered intravenously. In the final stage, there is usually no fluid therapy, but it may be considered when symptoms can be avoided or alleviated. Among other things, thirst can be avoided by good oral hygiene and regular moistening of the mouth.

Alternative Therapies

In many cases of palliative care patients, it is not appropriate to force patients to eat or consume supplements. It can be very uncomfortable for the patients if they are forced to eat or forced to eat. Often it is better to moisten only the lips and mouth with a wet sponge, to massage the patient a little, to read to him or play music.

Process Control

At the beginning of the therapy, goals must be clearly defined and a plan for assessing effectiveness must be created. The patient must know the prerequisites for therapy measures. Possible side effects of the therapy must be continuously evaluated and monitored. If the goals are not achieved with the therapy, it must be changed or aborted.