50% of cancer patients suffer from “cachexia” and not just sarcopenia. Expert: Early detection to prevent muscle loss

manycancer When the patient reaches the last stage, his bones become wooden, which is actually not a simple case of sarcopenia. Experts say that about 50% of cancer patients will develop “cancer cachexia,” which iscancer cells It affects the body’s metabolism, causes rapid muscle wasting and loss, and gradually weakens the body, leading to inability to walk or remain bedridden. If cachexia can be identified early and intervened through protein supplementation, exercise etc., it will help in improving the quality of end-stage care.

Taipei Medical University recently held the 3rd International Symposium on Sarcopenia, focusing on “Cancer Cachexia”. The National Nutrition and Health Status Change Survey of the National Department of Health from 2017 to 2020 showed that the prevalence of sarcopenia in people over 65 years of age reached 34.1%; A survey by the Taipei City Community Nutrition Promotion Center also showed that 1 in 3 elderly people are at risk of sarcopenia.

Professor Yan Yun, chair of the Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Development at Peking University, said that cancer cachexia is systemic inflammation and metabolic abnormalities caused by cancer, which accelerate the decomposition of muscle and fat in the body. Patients may suffer extreme weight loss and physical deterioration. Studies have shown that approximately 50% of cancer patients will develop symptoms of cachexia, and severe cases may even be unable to tolerate the side effects of chemotherapy and be forced to interrupt treatment.

Chen Yifan, a professor of translational medicine at Peking University, said that sarcopenia is mainly related to muscle loss caused by aging, while cachexia is muscle loss caused by metabolic diseases such as cancer or diabetes. When cancer cells spread in large numbers, inflammation and metabolic disorders can occur in the body, which in turn consume muscle and fat. Some chemotherapy drugs can also accelerate muscle loss.

Chen Yifan said that muscles are not only tissues that support body activities, but also important metabolic organs, participating in protein and fat metabolism, and communicating with other tissues by issuing signals. When large amounts of muscle are destroyed, body function will also decline. Colorectal cancer, rectal cancer, and lung cancer patients often present with cachexia when they reach advanced stages. They may become unable to walk slowly or remain bedridden for long periods of time.

He reminded that physical decline and inability to walk are often considered normal conditions in late stage cancer, but early interventions to improve them are not implemented. If cachexia can be identified early and inflammation reduced through nutritional supplements, resistance exercise, and medications, there is a chance to slow muscle loss and improve the care and quality of life of advanced patients.

In terms of diagnosis, Chen Yifan said that the evaluation method of cachexia is similar to that of sarcopenia. Muscle mass can be measured, and muscle quality and function can be assessed through tests such as standing, sitting, and walking speed. Currently research teams are also developing relevant biological indicators, hoping that in the future, the risk of sarcopenia or cachexia can be understood as early as possible through blood sampling.

As for how to slow down muscle loss, Chen Yifan suggested that cancer patients can supplement branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) under medical evaluation to provide the necessary raw materials for protein synthesis, and use resistance exercise to maintain muscle mass. If there is inflammation and metabolic abnormalities, doctors may also evaluate and use drug interventions to slow inflammation and reduce the rate of continued muscle loss.