8-Weight Loss
One of the most common and most dangerous complications observed in patients with stomach cancer is sudden and severe weight loss. Cancer-associated weight loss is one of the leading causes of death in a large number of cancer patients.
Cancer-associated weight loss may be caused by the tumor itself, pre-existing conditions, and/or the administered treatment. These factors can, by themselves or in conjunction with one another, cause a decreased absorption of nutrients, an increase in the patient’s metabolic rate, and a dramatic alteration to the metabolism of micronutrients.
Anti-cancer treatment often induces malnutrition, which may lead to weight loss, especially in cases in which several treatments are administered at the same time, such as post-surgery radiotherapy. Weight Loss in cancer patients will frequently cause a dramatic decrease in muscle mass that leads to loss of strength, mobility, and self-dependence. Furthermore, weight loss is closely associated with a diminished response to treatment and, consequently, a significantly worse prognosis and disease progression.