Title

Management of Cancer Cachexia

Authoring Organization

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Publication Month/Year

July 12, 2023

Last Updated Month/Year

September 30, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

In 2020, ASCO published a guideline on the management of cancer cachexia in adults with advanced cancer. Evidence was insufficient to strongly endorse any pharmacologic agent, but recommendations supported clinicians in offering a short-term trial of a progesterone analog or corticosteroid to patients experiencing loss of weight and/or appetite. The Expert Panel discussed a potential role for olanzapine but concluded that the evidence was insufficient for a recommendation. The publication of a 2023 randomized controlled trial (RCT) of olanzapine prompted the Expert Panel to revisit this topic.

Target Patient Population

Adult patients with advanced cancer and loss of appetite, body weight, and/or lean body mass (ie, skeletal muscle).

Target Provider Population

Clinicians who provide care to adult patients with cancer, as well as patients and caregivers.

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Home health, Hospital, Long term care

Intended Users

Dietician nutritionist, nurse, nurse practitioner, health systems pharmacist, physician, physician assistant, social worker

Scope

Treatment, Management

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D002100 - Cachexia

Keywords

cancer, Cancer Cachexia, nutritional interventions, pharmacological interventions, precachexia, refractory cachexia, cachexia

Source Citation

Eric J. Roeland, MD; Kari Bohlke, ScD; Vickie E. Baracos, PhD; Management of Cancer Cachexia: ASCO Guideline update. J Clin Oncol. 2023 July 12. doi: 10.1200/JCO.23.01280

Eric J. Roeland, MD; Kari Bohlke, ScD; Vickie E. Baracos, PhD; Eduardo Bruera, MD; Egidio del Fabbro, MD; Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD; Marie Fallon, MD; Jørn Herrstedt, MD, DMSci; Harold Lau, MD; Mary Platek, PhD, MS, RD; Hope S. Rugo, MD; Hester H. Schnipper, LICSW; Thomas J Smith, MD; Winston Tan, MD; Charles L. Loprinzi, MD. Management of Cancer Cachexia: ASCO Guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2020 May 20 doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.00611

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement