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Introduction: Cancer cachexia syndrome is debilitating. It affects the majority of patients with incurable, mainly solid, tumours. There is largely an agreement among scientists about the pathophysiologic changes of cancer cachexia syndrome (CCS). But emerging evidence of the psychosocial consequences of CCS has yet to be synthesised in a comprehensive review.
Objective: To look at the characteristics of cachexia related suffering (CRS) in patients with advanced cancer and cancer cachexia syndrome.
Method: A systematic review of original investigational or descriptive studies, published in English. Extraction of data was done by looking at predefined particulars of demographics, CCS, CRS, used research methods and future research proposed.
Results: A total of 696 participants (443 patients, 228 caregivers and 25 health care professionals) were involved in 15 reviewed studies. Methodologies used were almost exclusively single time-point assessment. Available information allow to identify causes of CCS, mechanisms leading to and a variety of presentations of CRS and reactions directed to reduce weight loss and influence either to alleviate or aggravate CRS.
Discussion: The concept of CRS may be useful in daily practice. If it is identified then intervention is possible that may improve quality of life for patients and their carers. Other research methodologies, of which some are already being implemented in currently running studies and their results awaited, are needed to fill existing gaps in our knowledge.
Conclusion: In our opinion, it is necessary to understand the concept of CRS for the successful management of patients and their caregivers affected by CCS. The proposed methodology for future research may help to consolidate the CRS concept.