| Title： | Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer-Related Anorexia |
| Edition： | Original |
| Classification： | Experts consensus |
| Field： | Diagnosis and Treatment |
| Countries and regions： | China |
| Guidelines users： | Clinical physicians |
| Evidence classification method： | According to the requirements set by the consensus, a literature search, screening, and collation were conducted in the field of cancer-related anorexia. Based on evidence-based medicine and combined with the clinical experience of the expert group, the content of the consensus was formed. Evidence Category Standards Evidence Characteristics | Consensus Degree Category | Level | Source 1A | High | Rigorous meta-analysis, large randomized controlled trials | Consensus (Support ≥80%) 1B | High | Rigorous meta-analysis, large randomized controlled trials | Basic consensus with minor controversy (Support 60%-80%) 2A | Slightly lower | General quality meta-analysis, small randomized controlled trials, well-designed large retrospective studies, case-control studies | Consensus (Support ≥80%) 2B | Slightly lower | General quality meta-analysis, small randomized controlled trials, well-designed large retrospective studies, case-control studies | Basic consensus with minor controversy (Support 60%-80%) 3 | Low | Uncontrolled single-arm clinical studies, case reports, expert opinions | No consensus with significant controversy (Support <60%) Recommendation Level Standards Recommendation Level | Recommendation Criteria Level I Recommendation | Evidence of Category 1A and some Category 2A Category 1A evidence, as well as some Category 2A evidence with high consensus and good accessibility in China, are considered as Level I recommendations. Level II Recommendation | Evidence of Category 1B and some Category 2A Category 1B evidence, as well as some Category 2A evidence with high consensus but poor accessibility in China, are considered as Level II recommendations. Level III Recommendation | Evidence of Category 2B and Category 3 For some diagnostic and treatment measures that are commonly used in clinical practice or have exploratory value, although the evidence-based medical evidence is relatively insufficient, if the expert group considers them acceptable, they are considered as Level III recommendations. |
| Development unit： | Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology Committee of Supportive and Rehabilitative Care |
| Registration time: | 2024-11-04 |
| Registration number： | PREPARE-2024CN028 |
| Purpose of the guideline: | Cancer cachexia is defined as the loss of appetite or anorexia caused by the tumor itself and/or its treatment. Cancer cachexia consists of multiple symptoms, such as anorexia, nausea, taste changes, early satiety, or difficulty swallowing. Studies have shown that over 75% of patients with advanced-stage tumors have symptoms of cancer cachexia, and more than half of cancer patients express concern about anorexia and/or weight loss. Reduced appetite not only affects the nutritional status of patients but is also closely associated with a shortened survival time, reduced compliance with anti-tumor treatment, increased treatment-related side effects, and a decline in quality of life, among other serious adverse events. Currently, cancer cachexia is prevalent but often overlooked in clinical practice, and there is still a lack of sufficient understanding of its pathogenesis. The standards for screening and diagnostic processes have not been unified, and there is no widespread consensus on the timing of intervention and treatment methods. To standardize the diagnosis and treatment process of cancer cachexia to guide clinical and research work, the Support and Rehabilitation Expert Committee (SCRC) of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) has invited experts in related fields in China to formulate the "Chinese Expert Consensus on Cancer Cachexia." This consensus will become an important reference for clinical physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer cachexia, better standardize the diagnosis and treatment of cancer cachexia, actively screen, intervene early, and standardize treatment, benefiting more patients. |
