Stages of cachexia 

 

 

 

 

 

Stages of cachexia:

 

Cachexia is classed into 3 stages;

•  pre-cachexia

• cachexia

• refractory cachexia

• It should be noted not all patients will experience the whole spectrum of the cachexia syndrome but those with gastric or pancreatic cancer are at a higher risk of cachexia progression.

 

Pre cachexia stage: 

 

This initial stage is where a substantial weight loss may not be evident yet i.e. a loss of less than 5% body weight in 6 months or BMI less than 20kg per metre square.  However, not all patients display this loss and some patients are known to be weight stable.

 

Cachexia:

 

At this stage, there are losses of more than 5% loss of body weight within the last 6 months, a BMI of less than 20kg per metre square but the patient has not yet entered the refractory

stage.

 

Refractory stage:

 

Refractory stage is where it is evident that it is not possible to reverse the loss in weight and efforts to maintain artificial nutrition in the patient is not beneficial when weighed against the potential risks involved. The prognosis is less than 3 months and patients no longer respond to cancer treatment so the main aim at this stage is to help manage the symptoms rather than treatment of weight loss.