Influence of cachexia and sarcopenia on survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review.

2014

Abstract Background/objectives Cachexia affects ∼80% of pancreatic cancer patients. An international consensus defines cachexia as an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) with or without loss of fat, which impairs body functioning and cannot be reversed by conventional nutritional measures. Weight loss percentage and elevated inflammation markers have been employed to define this condition earlier. This review aimed to assess the prevalence and consequences of cachexia and sarcopenia on survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Methods The systematic review was performed by searching the articles with preset terms published in PubMed and Cochrane Database unti…