Most chemotherapy medicines cause some degree of anorexia, a decrease in or complete loss of appetite. Loss of appetite, as well as weight loss, may also result directly from effects of the cancer on the body’s metabolism.
Anorexia may be mild. If it is severe, it may lead to cachexia, a form of malnutrition with muscle loss. Proper nutrition is important during cancer treatment. It helps strengthen the body to fight infection and also cope with cancer treatments and their side effects.
Decreased appetite is generally temporary and improves when chemotherapy is finished. It may take a few weeks after chemotherapy is over for your appetite to recover. Some types of chemotherapy may cause more severe loss of appetite than other types.
Talk with your doctor or nurse if you experience anorexia or cachexia. Medicines can be prescribed to help.
Weight loss can be a result of appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and drug side effects. But sometimes people actually gain weight during cancer treatment. This can be caused by chemotherapy regimens containing steroids, inactivity, electrolyte imbalances, and fluid retention.
Your weight will be monitored during your cancer treatment. A dietitian and/or nutritionist may be consulted to help you learn ways to try to maintain an appropriate body weight.
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