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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 2/2012

01-02-2012 | Original Article

Weight loss in cancer patients: a plea for a better awareness of the issue

Authors: Luigi Mariani, Salvatore Lo Vullo, Federico Bozzetti, on behalf of the SCRINIO Working Group

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 2/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

Although weight loss is of both prognostic and predictive relevance in oncologic patients, its assessment is often neglected. Aims of the present investigation were to define the prevalence and severity of weight loss in adult outpatients with a variety of solid tumors, and determine the association patterns with patient-, cancer-, and therapy-related factors.

Methods

Among an outpatient series of 1,556 cancer patients, weight loss information was obtained for 1,540 patients. Weight loss was analyzed by means of multiple regression models, logistic models, and nomograms, according to age, gender, site of primary, UICC stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, therapy, and symptoms type and degree.

Results

Weight loss, relative to usual body weight, was 7.1% on average in the whole series, and clinically significant (≥10%) in 589 patients (38%). Factors most strongly associated with WL were site of primary, ECOG performance status, anorexia syndrome, and fatigue. These, together with oncologic therapy, were important factors for predicting significant weight loss.

Conclusions

Weight loss turned out to be frequent and clinically significant. We believe that this sign should deserve major attention by the oncologists to pursue the benefits that early nutritional support prospectively yields in terms of quality of life and clinical outcome improvement.
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Metadata
Title
Weight loss in cancer patients: a plea for a better awareness of the issue
Authors
Luigi Mariani
Salvatore Lo Vullo
Federico Bozzetti
on behalf of the SCRINIO Working Group
Publication date
01-02-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-1075-7

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