Megestrol acetate in cancer patients with anorexia and weight loss. A Hellenic Co-operative Oncology Group (HeCOG) study.
Fifty-two patients with hormone-independent cancer, who complained of anorexia and of weight loss with at least 10%, received megestrol acetate (MA), 480 mg daily, during 1-21 weeks. Of the 41 patients treated during 4 weeks or longer, 38 experienced weight gain. Monthly subjective evaluation of six parameters using a linear analog self-assessment (LASA) form showed a significant improvement in the patient's rating of appetite, mood, nausea and vomiting, and quality of life; the tumor was progressive in 21, stable in 11 and it regressed in only 9 of these patients. No toxicity was observed; one case of death due to a congestive heart failure remains unexplained. MA at the dose used is a powerful appetite stimulant; it contributes to weight increase and might improve the subjective appreciation of quality of life. MA at lower doses should be compared in a prospective trial to the dose used in this study.
Skarlos
D V
DV
Agii Anargiri Cancer Center, Athens, Greece.
Fountzilas
G
G
Pavlidis
N
N
Beer
M
M
Makrantonakis
P
P
Aravantinos
G
G
Pantelakos
P
P
Tsavaris
N
N
Karpasitis
N
N
Kosmidis
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000855:Anorexia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008535:Megestrol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019290:Megestrol Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D008535:Megestrol; D019290:Megestrol Acetate