Articles: cachexia-drug-therapy.
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J. Pediatr. Hematol. Oncol. · May 2003
Case ReportsMechanism of transient adrenal insufficiency with megestrol acetate treatment of cachexia in children with cancer.
Megestrol acetate (MA) is used to stimulate appetite in children with cancer, but it can impair adrenal function and cause adrenal insufficiency. Three children with brain tumors were treated with MA to improve weight gain. Standard low-dose ACTH stimulation tests were performed on and off MA. ⋯ The suppression of the adrenal axis was at the level of the hypothalamus/pituitary. Adrenal suppression can occur in patients treated with MA. Awareness of this possibility and the use of glucocorticoid stress coverage are advised.
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Anorexia is a major clinical problem in large number of patients with advanced cancer disease. Serotonergic mechanisms are assumed to play a role in the process of feeding behavior during normal and pathologic circumstances, which may also involve cancer anorexia according to previous experimental and clinical studies. ⋯ Thus, our results do not support previous observations that serotonin metabolism itself is a major factor behind anorexia in tumor-bearing animals in general. Rather, other mechanisms, such as eicosanoid and nitric oxide-dependent pathways, seem to be more important for induction of anorexia along tumor progression in the present model.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Megestrol acetate for cachexia and anorexia in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized study comparing two different doses.
The primary aim of the study was to compare two different dose levels of megestrol acetate, administered for cancer-related anorexia and cachexia for 3 months. ⋯ Megestrol acetate can be safely and effectively given to patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although lower doses of megestrol acetate can be effective for anorexia and cachexia, the higher dose level seems to be more efficient.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jun 2001
ReviewModern management of the cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome.
The cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome is common, occurring in 80% of patients with advanced-stage cancer, and it is one of the most frequent causes of death in patients with cancer. It is a complex problem involving abnormalities in protein, carbohydrate, and fat metabolism. ⋯ In addition to the physical manifestations, the resulting abnormalities have a significant psychologic effect on patients and their families. Although there is no treatment to reverse the process, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic measures can enhance food intake and improve quality of life.