Cachexia incidence, anemia and nutritional impact symptoms in cancer patients

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20164003353361

Abstract

Nutritional Impact Symptoms (NIS) and anemia are physiological changes commonly observed in cancer patients at
earlier the diagnosis and during the radiotherapy and chemotherapy therapy that may interfere in general condition
and cancer cachexia incidence. The goal of this study was evaluate cachexia, NIS and anemia incidence in cancer
patients. It was evaluated, weight symptoms that interfere in food consumption and hemoglobin (usual/initial/ending
period) in cancer patients attended in oncology clinic at Guarapuava-PR, linked to Brazil’s publicly funded health care
system (SUS). It was enrolled 147 patients, and breast cancer was more prevalent (45.6%). Cachexia has been present
in varying degrees at the diagnosis to treatment ending. Grouping by cancer type in treatment initial period, stomach
cancer has shown the highest terminal cachexia percentage (n= 5, 31.3%) and breast cancer presented highest weight
gain percentage (n = 25; 37.3%) with consequent reduction in cachexia subjects. At the treatment ending, stomach
cancer patients remained highest terminal cachexia prevalence (n = 7; 43.8%) and breast cancer presented highest
weight gain (n = 39; 58.2%). The most frequent NIS were xerostomia (n=84, 57.1%) and constipation (n=33, 22.4%).
Between periods, stomach cancer patients have had higher of anemia percentage, respectively (n = 10, 62.5%; n = 11;
68.8%), and only breast cancer patients have had significant difference (p = 0.01). It was demonstrated in this study that
greater cachexia degree is the most common incidence of anemia and symptoms of nutritional impact. It was evident in
this study, high cachexia prevalence, frequent anemia and nutritional impact symptoms incidence.