Cachexia-anorexia cancer-related syndrome – megestrol acetate as a treatment option

Most patients in advanced stages of cancer suffer from cachexia-anorexia cancer related syndrome (CACS). At the core of development of this syndrome lies reduced appetite with increased catabolic processes and reduced anabolism. The course of the syndrome leads to the loss of skeletal muscle mass with or without loss of fat mass. At the cellular level CACS development process involves activating a number of tumor products and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This results in increasing fatigue, reduction of survival, lower quality of life, also affects the patient's mental state and relationships. A drug which could in an optimal way stop the process of cachexia-anorexia is still being researched.

This article discusses the principles of diagnosis of CACS syndrome, shows the ongoing discussions on achieving a common definition of CACS and presents some of the most common treatment options. The study discusses the available drugs and substances which are still being under research. This work indicates the limits of the use of glucocorticoids and reduced prokinetics.

Progestational agents inhibit anorexia and also reduce lighting metabolic changes. This is a response to multifactiorial nature of disorders in CACS. These medications are wider presented in this study.