Nutrition Rehabilitation Programs and Cachexia Clinics for Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome in Patients with Cancer

Abstract The Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome (ACS) is characterized by loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss. Important clinical outcomes are associated with ACS including increased risk of chemotherapy side-effects, decreased survival and quality of life. Because ACS is driven by complex metabolic mechanisms and a chronic pro-inflammatory response, the weight loss and muscle wasting cannot be reversed by conventional nutritional supplementation alone. However, insufficient intake of calories and protein exacerbate weight loss experienced by patients with ACS, while physical inactivity accelerate muscle wasting. In addition, uncontrolled symptoms such as pain, mucositis, nausea, early satiety, and depression aggravate poor nutritional intake and are known as nutrition impact symptoms (NIS). Addressing these potentially reversible contributors to ACS requires an interdisciplinary team (IDT) effort including oncologists, palliative medicine, rehabilitation clinicians, dietitians, and psychologists. The composition and leadership of the team depends on institutional support and the patient population being treated (e.g. advanced cancer versus peri-operative rehabilitation versus geriatric). Because patients may be burdened by frequent visits to multiple healthcare providers and a special skill set is required of the IDT to address ACS—measuring caloric and protein intake, assessing body composition, optimal symptom management, and providing psycho-social support–a specialized clinic would be ideal. As more effective anti-cachexia agents are being developed, nutritional rehabilitation programs and cachexia clinics could facilitate incorporation of novel treatments into multimodal management of ACS. The narrative review highlights the management of nutrition impact symptoms and the potential benefits and challenges of specialized nutrition rehabilitation programs and cachexia clinics.