Evolving classification systems for cancer cachexia:  ready for clinical practice?
BACKGROUND
Involuntary weight loss, the defining factor of cachexia, is a common consequence of advanced cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
This review summarizes the actual cachexia definitions and classification systems (NCCTG-studies, Loprinzi et al.; PG-SGA, Ottery et al.; Cachexia Consensus Conference, Evans et al; Cancer Cachexia Study Group, Fearon et al.; and SCRINIO Working group, Bozzetti et al.).We describe the ongoing development of a new classification system for cancer cachexia, which is based on literature reviews and Delphi processes within the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative. The review describes the evolving understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of cachexia and outlines an overview on treatment options.


CONCLUSIONS
In this review an outlook on the requirements of a new decision guiding instrument is given and the challenges in clinical decision making in palliative are discussed.
Blum
David
D
Oncological Palliative Medicine, Division of Oncology/Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and Palliative Care Center, Cantonal Hospital, Switzerland.
Omlin
Aurelius
A
Fearon
Ken
K
Baracos
Vickie
V
Radbruch
Lukas
L
Kaasa
Stein
S
Strasser
Florian
F
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002100:Cachexia / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003376:Counseling; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011372:Progestins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002186:Cannabinoids; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011372:Progestins; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid