Cancer cachexia is a syndrome characterized with progressive weight loss and abnormal wasting of fat andmuscle tissue, and affects 40 to 85% of all terminally ill patients, accounting more than 20% of all cancer deaths.Current treatment for cancer cachexia principally depends on its prevention rather than reversing the presentdisease state, and the clinical results are far from being satisfactory. Although the exact mechanism andpredisposing factors have yet to be clarified in detail, our growing knowledge about the pathophysiology andbiochemical changes considering this life threatening condition should help in development of future therapeuticstrategies. In the present paper, the current preclinical and clinical features considering the pathophysiologyand treatment of cancer related cachexia are reviewed.
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