What Is Anorexia Cachexia

Abstract. Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS) is a devastating and debilitating aspect at any stage of malignancy. It presents primarily as anorexia, weight loss and muscle wasting secondary to inadequate oral intake and metabolic changes.

What is the difference between anorexia and cachexia?

In defining these terms further, anorexia describes loss of appetite and/or an aversion to food. The term “cachexia” refers to a loss of body mass, including lean body mass and fat, in the setting of a disease state, in this case cancer.

What can cause cachexia?

A range of diseases can cause cachexia, most commonly cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease and AIDS. Systemic inflammation from these conditions can cause detrimental changes to metabolism and body composition.