Weight loss may be a sign of cancer

Gradual weight loss may be a symptom of cancer, particularly in colon, kidney and lung cancer, Germany's cancer society has found.

As tumours grow, they deprive the body of so much nutrition that weight loss results, said Eva Kalbheim, a spokeswoman for the cancer society.

She therefore recommends regular preventative check-ups. And people who lose weight without trying or without changing their lifestyle should see a doctor quickly.

"Other unspecific symptoms provide important clues: Back pain points to a kidney problem, while coughing in the morning indicates a problem in the lungs," Kalbheim said. Blood tests and ultrasound provide further insight.

But all too often weight loss is not taken seriously. Who wouldn't be happy over the loss of a few kilograms without having been on a strenuous diet.

"Every second patient experiences noticeable weight loss before being diagnosed with cancer. One out of six had lost 10 per cent of his body weight," said Jann Arends, a doctor at a cancer clinic in Freiburg, Germany. The individuals are not losing fat, as they might desire, rather valuable cells that are involved in metabolism and immune system functions. Even when weigh loss is recognised, it is difficult to get it under control.

"Ideally, the tumour can be completely removed surgically, stopping the weight loss," said Kalbheim. After that it's necessary to stabilise the body and return to a healthy weight. However, in many cases further weight loss occurs.

"One of the causes is that chemotherapy causes nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting," said Matthias Pirlich, an internist and endocrinologist at Berlin's Charity hospital. The body doesn't have enough time between chemotherapy treatments to recover, making it weaker than the time before.

Aside from that, chemotherapy is often accompanied by acute inflammation of the mucous membranes such as those in the mouth and throat. Depending on the type of tumour, other specific problems occur.

"Tumours in the oesophagus or throat cause the path that food takes to become narrow," said Pirlich. Eating can cause intense pain. Tumours in the pancreas on the other hand are accompanied by a loss of appetite. In addition the tumours grow protein molecules that uncontrollably breakdown muscle tissue.

Although there have been few studies to date, specialists assume that weight loss has a grave implications for therapy.

"For one thing the dose of medication must match the patient's lower body weight," said Arends. That lengthens the therapy, and thus the strain on the patient. "There are indications that patients who have experienced considerable weight loss clearly suffer more side effects, are more likely to interrupt their chemotherapy and their tumours respond poorly.

Every second tumour patient today dies from an infection which takes advantage of malnourishment and a weak immune system.

There are reasons enough to counteract weight loss as soon as possible, by changing the diet.

"The body can be strengthened through calories and proteins," said Kalbheim. The body processes fat especially well, thus cream and butter are important ingredients. Many patients experience a change in taste, said Arends. Old habits can and must be dumped. In the end, everyone eats a little more when the food tastes good. In addition it's easier to ingest several small portions spread out over the course of the day. The rest is up to the medicine.

"During chemotherapy other medications that reduce nausea can be administered," said Pirlich. Also factors that hinder ingestion of food, such as inflammation of the mucous membranes, can be relieved. In serious cases, a liquid diet or artificial feeding through a tube must be considered.