The effect of cachexia on quality of life of patients with pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Introduction: 80% of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer present to have cachexia with a significant impact on survival. Rapid weight loss is an often underestimated symptom, in patients with pancreatic cancer.
Aim: The present research investigated the effects of cachexia (fat and muscle tissue loss) in patients with pancreatic cancer and how it is affected the patients’ quality of life.
Materials and Methods: The study sample was patients with pancreatic cancer after random screening. Their demographics and anthropometrics data were recorded. At the same time, their quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.
Results: The changes in the average weight of patients with pancreatic cancer steadily decreased, with the weight differences being statistically significant (F=42.569, p<0.001). Statistically significant was also the fat (F=10.081, p<0.001) and the muscle tissue (F=3.294, p=0.018) decrease. The quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) did not showed statistical significant changes.
Conclusions: Cancer cachexia is a serious multifaceted problem for patients with pancreatic cancer. Its management requires early detection, proper nutritional advisory, continuous evaluation. All this can be achieved through the interdisciplinary collaboration of health professionals.