Cancer patients often lose excessive amounts of weight. This affects up to 80% of patients and is mainly due to a decrease in muscle mass and fatty tissue. This cancer-induced cachexia (CIC) is triggered by cancer cytokines, i.e., pro-inflammatory messenger substances emitted by the tumor cells themselves. It is also not uncommon for the heart muscle to be affected, which further weakens patients. Depending on the type of cancer, CIC is responsible for 20 to 50% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide.
This article was originally published on MedicalXpress.com
