Abstract
Cancer anorexia/cachexia is a common clinical problem that substantially impacts upon the quality of life and survival of affected patients. Extensive investigations have not supported the use of either enteral or paternal hyperalimentation for such patients. Despite positive pilot trial reports, large randomized studies have been unable to demonstrate a clinically defensible role for either pentoxifylline, cyproheptadine, or hydrazine sulfate for patients with anorexia. Multiple placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, clinical trials have demonstrated that corticosteroids do have appetite-enhancing properties in patients suffering from cancer anorexia/cachexia, but none of these studies has demonstrated weight gain. In comparison, multiple studies have demonstrated that the progestational agent, megestrol acetate, has both appetite-enhancing and weight-promoting properties.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 120-122 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Supportive Care in Cancer |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1995 |
Keywords
- Cancer anorexia
- Cancer cachexia
- Corticosteroids
- Megestrol acetate
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology