Cachexia and bladder cancer: clinical impact and management

Soum D. Lokeshwar, Benjamin H. Press, James Nie, Zachary Klaassen, Patrick A. Kenney, Michael S. Leapman

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to describe the causes, management, and clinical outcomes associated with cachexia and related components including sarcopenia, among patients with bladder cancer (BCa).Recent findingsCachexia in patients with BCa is associated with poorer outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC), radiation, and chemotherapy. Nutritional supplements and novel pharmaceutical agents including magnolol, flucoidan and Anamorelin are currently undergoing investigation for their potential use in BCa patients with cachexia.SummaryCachexia is a hypercatabolic state thought to be caused by an immune-regulated release of cytokines and disruptions of molecular pathways within the tumor microenvironment and systemically. Nutritional deficiencies in patients with BCa also contribute to cachexia and sarcopenia. Patients with BCa -related cachexia and sarcopenia experience worse survival and therapeutic outcomes after RC, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Patients with cachexia also experience more postoperative complications after RC. The management of cachexia in patients with BCa remains challenging and requires timely identification, and multidisciplinary management including nutritional supplementation, physical therapy, palliative care, and pharmacological agents. Clinical trials and human studies are still required to determine which pharmacological agents are optimal for BCa cachexia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)260-265
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
Volume15
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2021

Keywords

  • bladder cancer
  • cachexia
  • radical cystectomy
  • sarcopenia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Oncology(nursing)
  • Oncology

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