Cancer Cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a condition accompanying neoplasia, which manifests itself through numerous metabolic changes resulting in involuntary weight loss in the face of adequate nutrition. Carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism are affected.
Cancer cachexia in humans results in decreased quality of life, poor treatment response and decreased survival time but no clinical signs. Animals experience the same effects in addition to the clinical sign of weight loss.
Carbohydrate metabolism is altered in the following areas: peripheral glucose disposal, hepatic gluconeogenesis, insulin effects, and whole-body glucose oxidation and turnover. Tumors have a preference for glucose metabolism via anaerobic glycolysis, which results in the formation of lactate as the end product. The patient expends energy to convert lactate back into glucose. This dynamic results in net energy loss for the patient.
Treatment of cancer cachexia involves enteral dietary support. Diets which contain high quality bioavailable protein, increased amount of fat, and less complex carbohydrates are suggested to best support the veterinary cancer patient. In many cases, these diets must be administered via nasogastric, gastrotomy or jejunostomy feeding tubes.

SOURCE: Ogilvie GK: Alterations in Metabolism and Nutritional Support for Veterinary Cancer Patients: Recent Advances. The Compendium 15(7): 925-234, 1993.