Sarcopenia , as defined by reduced muscle mass alone , was found to be very prevalent in patients with lung cancer , regardless of body mass index , and where present was associated with poorer functional status and overall survival .
The effect of nutritional supplements and ATP infusions on muscle mass showed conflicting results .
There are very limited data on the correlation between degree of sarcopenia and muscle function , which has a non-linear relationship in older non-cancer population s. CONCLUSIONS Loss of muscle mass is a significant contributor to morbidity in patients with lung cancer .
OBJECTIVES There is growing awareness of the relationship between sarcopenia ( loss of muscle mass and function ) , and outcomes in cancer , making it a potential target for future therapies .
In order to inform future research and practice , we undertook a systematic review of factors associated with loss of muscle mass , and the relationship between muscle function and muscle mass in lung cancer , a common condition associated with poor outcomes .
Effectiveness of megestrol acetate in patients with advanced cancer: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study.
PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of megestrol acetate at a lower dose than previously investigated on the symptoms of cachexia in patients with advanced cancer . METHODS A total of 84 patients with advanced , solid tumours not responsive to hormone therapy were enrolled in this double-blind , crossover study . During phase 1 , patients were r and omly assigned to receive megestrol acetate ( 160 mg 3 times daily ) for 10 days or placebo . During phase 2 , after a 2-day washout period , patients received the alternate treatment for 10 days . Patients underwent daily assessment s of activity , nausea , appetite and well-being by means of a visual analogue scale ( VAS ) . In addition , nutritional status ( weight , tricep skinfold measure , arm muscle circumference ) , energy intake , fatigue ( Piper Fatigue Scale ) and quality of life ( Functional Living Index-Cancer [ FLIC ] ) were assessed . RESULTS Among the 53 evaluable patients  megestrol acetate result ed in a significant improvement in appetite ( p = 0.005 ) , activity ( p = 0.007 ) and well-being ( p = 0.03 ) . There was no significant change in the intensity of nausea , nutritional parameters , energy intake or FLIC scores . There was a significant improvement in 2 of the 3 factors measured by the Piper Fatigue Scale and in the overall fatigue score . Upon completion of the study , while still blind to the treatment condition , 30 patients indicated that they felt better overall after megestrol , 15 said they felt better after placebo , and 10 indicated no preference ( p = 0.001 ) . CONCLUSION Treatment with megestrol acetate results in rapid and significant improvement of symptoms in terminally ill patients at lower doses than previously reported . The effects are not secondary to nutritional changes . The FLIC quality -of-life question naire was unable to detect these changes
Sarcopenia , as defined by reduced muscle mass alone , was found to be very prevalent in patients with lung cancer , regardless of body mass index , and where present was associated with poorer functional status and overall survival .
The effect of nutritional supplements and ATP infusions on muscle mass showed conflicting results .
There are very limited data on the correlation between degree of sarcopenia and muscle function , which has a non-linear relationship in older non-cancer population s. CONCLUSIONS Loss of muscle mass is a significant contributor to morbidity in patients with lung cancer .
OBJECTIVES There is growing awareness of the relationship between sarcopenia ( loss of muscle mass and function ) , and outcomes in cancer , making it a potential target for future therapies .
In order to inform future research and practice , we undertook a systematic review of factors associated with loss of muscle mass , and the relationship between muscle function and muscle mass in lung cancer , a common condition associated with poor outcomes .