Cancer Cachexia: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Table 1

Diagnostic criteria for cachexia syndrome [6].

Weight loss of at least 5% in 12 months or less
(or BMI <20 kg/m^2)
AND 3 of 5 From:	Decreased muscle strength
	Fatigue
	Anorexia
	Low fat-free mass index
	Abnormal biochemistry:	Increased inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6)
		Anaemia (Hb < 12 g/dL)
		Low serum albumin (<3.2 g/dL)

Note: Fatigue is defined as physical and or mental weariness resulting from exertion; an inability to continue exercise at the same intensity with a resultant deterioration in performance.
Anorexia is defined as limited food intake (total caloric intake less than 20 kcal/kg body weight/day) or poor appetite.
Low-fat-free mass index represents lean tissue depletion (i.e., mid upper arm muscle circumference <10th percentile for age and gender’ appendicle skeletal muscle index by DEXA <5.45  (kg/m²) in females and <7.25 in males).