Symptom Control in Palliative Care—Part II: Cachexia
Transcription
Symptom Control in Palliative Care—Part II: Cachexia
Palliative Care Reviews JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE Volume 9, Number 2, 2006 © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Feature Editors: Robert M. Arnold and Solomon Liao Symptom Control in Palliative Care—Part II: Cachexia/Anorexia and Fatigue EGIDIO DEL FABBRO, M.D., SHALINI DALAL, M.D., and EDUARDO BRUERA, M.D. INTRODUCTION I we addressed general symptom assessment, constipation, and chronic nausea. This part discusses cachexia/anorexia and fatigue, and once again most of the available research is cancer-related. N THE FIRST PART CACHEXIA/ANOREXIA Cachexia may occur in up to 80% of patients with advanced cancer.1 This complex metabolic syndrome, characterized by profound loss of lean body mass, is the main cause of death in 20% of patients. Cachexia (involuntary loss of more than 10% of premorbid weight) is a marker for poor prognosis2 and is associated with anorexia (loss of appetite), asthenia and changes in body image. Cancer cachexia tends to occur in patients with solid tumors, in children, and in elderly patients. Cachexia is also common in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF)3–6 and other chronic illnesses, such as dementia, tuberculosis, malaria,7 chronic kidney disease, liver disease,8 and rheumatoid arthritis. MECHANISMS Cachexia is caused by a complex interaction between tumor by-products (proteolysis inducing factor, lipid mobilizing factor) and host cytokines (including interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, interferon). Cachexia in experimental animal models can be relieved by specific cytokine antagonists, such as monoclonal antibodies to IL6.9 The metabolic abnormalities are characterized by synthesis of acute phase proteins in the liver at the expense of muscle protein, proteolysis, lipolysis, insulin resistance, decreased lipogenesis, elevated triglycerides and decreased high density lipoproteins (Fig. 1). Neuroendocrine abnormalities and the production of anorexigenic10 compounds may further contribute to the development of cachexia. Nutritional supplementation and appetite stimulation alone cannot overcome the block in accretion of muscle mass. Similar mechanisms for cachexia in CHF, chronic kidney disease,11 COPD,12 and rheumatoid arthritis13 have been described. ASSESSMENT The patient’s subjective loss of appetite can be assessed with a numerical rating scale such as the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), or one of the other tools previously described. The clinical assessment includes a careful history that is focused on nutritional issues and a physical examination. Body weight is the only test commonly used outside the research setting. Measuring mid upper arm circumference may have prognostic value.14 Whole-body impedence and electroconductivity is based on the principle that lean tissue conducts electricity better than fat. This has the potential for more widespread clinical use as the equipment becomes more easily Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. 409 410 DEL FABBRO ET AL. FIG. 1. Metabolic abnormalities in primary cachexia. available. For research and for follow-up, the effect of any intervention on related symptoms, such as fatigue and dyspnea, would be useful, as well as quality of life and functional assessments. MANAGEMENT The management of major contributors to this syndrome, such as chronic nausea, constipation, early satiety, taste alteration, dyspnea, deconditioning, and depression may result in significant improvement. Established pharmacologic treatment currently comprises either megestrol or corticosteroids, which predominantly stimulate appetite, however will not reverse cachexia in most patients. Weight gain may be necessary to alleviate distress associated with changes in body image. The other therapies described below may delay or reverse the cachexia component, or alleviate the symptom burden without major effects on body composition. Pharmacologic treatment Progestational agents. Megestrol acetate has demonstrated dose dependent improvements (starting at 160 mg/d) in appetite, fatigue, and general well-being in more than 60% of patients.15–17 Approximately 480–800 mg/d is optimal for weight gain, but it is prudent to start at a lower dose and titrate upward, since adverse effects18 and expense are dose-related. Symptomatic improvement in appetite occurs in less than 1 week; however, weight gain may take several weeks and it happens in less than one quarter of treated patients. In a comparison study, megesterol acetate (MA; 800 mg/d) was found to have fewer side effects than dexamethasone (0.75 mg four times daily [qid]), with a trend toward better weight gain.19 The authors concluded that for planned long-term use (weeks to months) it might be preferable to choose megestrol acetate. Consideration should also be given to cost (up to 20 times more expensive) and the higher risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVI). A recent review of the literature on MA20 showed that this drug was safe and effective in patients with cancer and AIDS. Megestrol has also been used in other noncancer conditions. A randomized double-blinded placebo controlled 8 week trial21 of either megestrol 800 mg daily or placebo in underweight patients with COPD demonstrated significant weight gain (mostly fat mass) in the megestrol group. Ventilation was stimulated (PaCO2 decreased), but there was no change in the 6-minute walk test. Side effects of megestrol include edema, hyperglycemia, and elevated liver enzymes. Medroxyprogesterone22 at doses of 1000 mg/d (equivalent to megestrol 160 mg/d) has demonstrated significant improvements in appetite and body weight. Corticosteroids may stimulate appetite and decrease nausea as well.23,24 Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that compared to placebo, corticosteroids can improve appetite and food intake.25 The effects of corticosteroids on ap- SYMPTOM CONTROL: CACHEXIA, ANOREXIA, FATIGUE petite and food intake are usually limited to a couple of weeks, and the side effects of these drugs increase dramatically over time. Therefore, corticosteroids should be considered most useful for patients with a life expectancy of less than 6 weeks. Most authors have used prednisone doses ranging from 20–40 mg, or dexamethasone at an equivalent dosage. Cannabinoids. Dronabinol, a synthetic cannabinoid, is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for anorexia related to AIDS and chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis. In a study of patients with AIDS-related cachexia, dronabinol showed significant improvement in nausea, appetite, and mood but no weight gain.26 Although some studies found beneficial effects of dronabinol on appetite in patients with advanced cancer,27,28 the effects of dronabinol on cachexia appear to be limited. In a more recent study comparing dronabinol with megesterol acetate, the latter drug was found to be more beneficial as an orexigenic agent.29 A combination of both drugs was not better than MA alone. The use of dronabinol is also limited by undesirable central nervous side effects, such as sedation, confusion, and perceptual disturbances.30 Thalidomide has immunomodulatory and antineoplastic effects and its use is being explored in a variety of conditions.31 Recent trials in patients with advanced cancer have been encouraging. Thalidomide was found to improve appetite, nausea and well-being32 after 10 days of treatment (100 mg daily) in patients with advanced cancer. A recent randomized placebo controlled trial33 of 50 patients with pancreatic cancer demonstrated that a dose of 200 mg daily for 24 weeks was well-tolerated and effective at attenuating loss of weight and lean body mass. There was no significant difference in appetite symptom scores between thalidomide and placebo. Two patients developed peripheral neuropathy that resolved on cessation of the drug. Another open-label trial of thalidomide for 2 weeks in patients with esophageal cancer34 appeared to reverse loss of lean body mass, and although sedation was experienced by all patients, daytime somnolence was transitory and disappeared after 2 or 3 days. Thalidomide also appears to benefit patients without cancer with cachexia. Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with aph- 411 thous ulcers have demonstrated weight gain on doses of 200 mg daily.35 Low-dose (100 mg) thalidomide36 for 8 weeks in AIDS-associated cachexia was also associated with significant weight gain, half of which was fat-free mass. A trial of thalidomide in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis37 was well tolerated and resulted in significant weight gain and reduction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-. Testosterone and its derivatives, such as oxandrolone,38 have been studied in patients with AIDS, neuromuscular disorders, and alcoholic cirrhosis. A recent review of oxandrolone concluded that improvements in body composition and muscle strength are significant in the majority of well-designed trials. Long-term safety ( 1 year) and dosage titration still need to be determined. A prospective open-label study39 demonstrated a preferential increase of lean body mass in patients with COPD after 2 months of oxandrolone. There was an increase in 6 minute walking distance of more than 65 m in the majority of patients. Eighteen percent of patients withdrew because of side effects. Nandrolone has shown similar benefits in patients with COPD40 and AIDS, however, it can only be given parenterally and this limits its use. Other hormones, such as growth hormone, have demonstrated increases in lean body mass in patients with AIDS,41 and may have future applications in the syndrome of frailty42 in the elderly, but the cost is prohibitive. Ghrelin, a novel growth hormone-releasing peptide isolated from the stomach, may have future therapeutic potential for cachexia43 of different causes (cardiac or cancer). Melatonin may inhibit cancer cell growth, improve survival and decrease chemotherapy induced side effects. In two studies with a large number of patients (total 1640), the frequency of cachexia, asthenia, and thrombocytopenia was significantly lower in patients treated with 20 mg of melatonin at night.44 A randomized pilot trial in patients with cancer of fish oil, melatonin, or their combination did not induce major biochemical changes suggestive of a strong anticachectic effect, but may have produced a weightstabilizing effect.45 This well-tolerated drug deserves further placebo-controlled trials. -3 fish oil has few adverse effects and several benefits, including an immunomodulatory action and an antidepressant effect. Despite its 412 promise,46 there was no nutritional or symptomatic benefit in two randomized double-blinded controlled trials of advanced cancer patients.47,48 -Antagonists and agonists. The possible role of the sympathetic nervous system in cardiac cachexia was illustrated by a study49 that measured body weight, plasma norepinephrine, leptin, and insulin in both cachectic and noncachectic chronic heart failure patients. After 6 months of -blocker therapy, patients with baseline cachexia demonstrated significantly greater weight gain, increase in leptin levels, and decrease in norepinephrine levels compared to noncachectic patients. The -agonist Clenbuterol has an anabolic effect in normal and wasted muscles of animals. A single double-blinded placebo controlled trial50 of healthy postoperative orthopedic patients demonstrated increased muscle strength in the group treated with clenbuterol. Immunologic. A review51 of six clinical trials of various monoclonal antibodies to IL-6 in the treatment of cancer showed that the therapy was well tolerated and decreased the cancer-related symptoms of cachexia, pain, and fever. In most patients C-reactive protein levels decreased below detectable limits. A recent trial52 of a low-cost oral therapeutic HIV vaccine (V1) in patients with AIDS prolonged survival and increased body mass. Psychotropics. Antidepressants, such as mirtazapine, and atypical antipsychotics, such as olanzapine, may be useful for the management of anorexia, nausea, and other symptoms in patients with cancer.53 Tricyclics, such as amitriptylline, may improve appetite but unfortunately have side effects, especially in the elderly. Nonpharmacologic treatment Nutritional support and counseling. Those patients with a predominant starvation component resulting from obstructive gastrointestinal tumors or painful mucositis as a result of head and neck cancer treatment may benefit from nutritional interventions. Artificial nutrition via the enteral or parenteral routes is inappropriate for most patients with advanced cancer and may hinder the transition to hospice. A meta-analysis54 of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in patients with cancer undergoing DEL FABBRO ET AL. chemotherapy showed decreased survival and increased susceptibility to infection. A review of 70 prospective randomized trials of enteral and parenteral nutrition in cancer patients55 concluded that if there is any therapeutic benefit it is small and confined to a small subset of patients. In rare cases, home TPN can be associated with long-term survival. A retrospective single institution study of home TPN56 identified 16 patients with cancer over a 20-year period who survived a year or longer. Most of the tumors were carcinoid and quality of life data were not assessed. One recent randomized prospective study57 of patients with primarily gastrointestinal tumors suggested a trend toward increased survival in patients who received TPN. Counseling. Compassionate communication is required to address the benefits and burdens of nutrition and to reframe the condition from that of “starving to death” to the more complex one of irreversible (usually) metabolic abnormalities. The psychological component is also important to consider, because eating meals together is important for social integration. Families of patients who are able to eat should be advised that frequent small meals may be more tolerable than three large meals daily. Nutritional counseling has been reported to improve nutritional intake in patients undergoing chemotherapy but not to influence symptom distress or survival.58 In patients with advanced cancer, this increased nutritional intake may last for only a few weeks.59 Unfortunately, there has been only limited research on the value of nutritional counseling in palliative care. FATIGUE Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms encountered in palliative care patients.60,61 It has been ranked as the longest lasting and most disruptive of symptoms,62 having the greatest impact on quality-of-life parameters.63 Fatigue, similar to other symptoms, is a subjective sensation, which manifests with varying dimensions of impaired physical, cognitive, and affective functioning.64 The physical dimension is usually described as a perception of muscle weakness or decreased energy. The cognitive and affective dimensions include difficulty in concentrating or maintaining attention and lack of motivation or interest in activities. 413 SYMPTOM CONTROL: CACHEXIA, ANOREXIA, FATIGUE Frequency rates as high as 96% for fatigue have been reported in association with chemotherapy and radiotherapy,65 and severe fatigue is almost universal in patients receiving biological response modifiers, such as interferon- and IL2.66–68 In cancer survivors, fatigue has also been reported as a disruptive symptom months or years after cancer treatment ends.69–71 A qualitative study of patients with severe heart failure revealed difficulties with walking and extreme fatigue similar to that of patients living with advanced cancer.72 In a study of 427 ambulatory patients with AIDS,73 fatigue was found to be present in 54%, and its presence correlated strongly with the number of AIDS-related physical symptoms, anemia and pain. The patients with fatigue were also observed to have relatively poorer physical functioning and quality of life and greater psychological distress than those with no fatigue. MECHANISMS Multiple etiological factors may coexist and be interrelated. The common contributors to fatigue in advanced cancer include the tumor, the treatments and the proinflammatory cytokines produced (interleukin-1, IL-6, and TNF-). Cytokines are the likely mediators of anemia, fever, FIG. 2. pain, cachexia, and depression. Comorbidities such as congestive heart failure, kidney, and liver failure exacerbate fatigue as do electrolyte endocrine and mood disorders These factors are shown in Figure 2. ASSESSMENT Fatigue is assessed much like any other symptom, namely by characterizing the severity, temporal features (onset, course, duration, and daily pattern), exacerbating and relieving factors, associated distress, and impact on daily life,74 while searching for contributing factors. Additional information is obtained from the history and physical examination and laboratory data. In palliative care practice, patients present with multiple symptoms, which can be simultaneously assessed by the ESAS. The presence of other symptoms such as pain, sleep, depression, and anxiety, are strongly correlated with fatigue. A more rigorous method, used for research purposes and validated for internal consistency, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue Subscale (FACT-F).75 The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) has also been used and validated as a measure of fatigue in patients with cancer,76 as has the Memorial Symptom Assessment ScaleShort Form (MSAS-SF). A study of patient re- Contributors to fatigue. 414 DEL FABBRO ET AL. sponses to BFI, FACT-F, and the lack of energy item yielded similar information for assessing fatigue.77 MANAGEMENT Figure 3 shows an approach to management of fatigue and is discussed below. Specific measures Anemia is frequent in patients with cancer and may be secondary to bleeding, treatment-related FIG. 3. myelosuppression, chronic disease, and malnutrition. Severe anemia (hemoglobin 8 g/dL) is known to cause profound fatigue; however, a higher hemoglobin may also be associated with fatigue. Using a hemoglobin value of 12 g/dL or less to define anemia, anemic cancer patients requiring chemotherapy were found to have significantly higher levels of fatigue and impaired physical and functional well-being.78 There is a clear relationship between anemia and fatigue in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy,79 and treatment of these patients with red blood cell transfusion and/or erythropoetin alpha80 has shown to im- Approach to fatigue management in palliative care. SYMPTOM CONTROL: CACHEXIA, ANOREXIA, FATIGUE prove quality of life and energy.81 Although therapy with erythropoetic agents is relatively safe, the disadvantages include the cost and the delay of 4–8 weeks before an increase of 1–2 g/dL and symptom improvement occurs. Recent data suggest that erythropoietin leads to an increase risk of deep venous thrombosis and may, in certain populations, increase mortality. Moreover, data82 supporting erythropoetin’s usefulness in patients not on chemotherapy are less clear. In a recent retrospective study of 147 patients with cancer receiving palliative care, anemia was not found to be independently associated with fatigue. Because the number and severity of other comorbid conditions increase with advancement of disease, the relative contribution of anemia to fatigue likely decreases progressively.83 Infection. Fatigue is frequently associated with infection. It may predate the episode of infection and may outlast the infection by weeks or months. Anxiety, depression, or other mood disturbances are common in patients with cancer.84 There is an association between depression and fatigue in patients with cancer; however, a causal relationship has not been established Hypogonadism may also contribute to fatigue. Much of the research on the role of hypogonadism in fatigue has been done on HIV-positive men. Testosterone deficiency is associated with loss of muscle mass, fatigue, reduced libido, and anemia.85 In patients with HIV with testosterone deficiency, treatment with androgenic anabolic steroids, including testosterone and its derivatives, has been found to increase muscle mass, energy levels, and libido.86–89 A randomized 10week trial of 47 patients with COPD with testosterone deficiency showed that testosterone plus resistance training had additive benefits.90 Both lean body mass and leg muscle strength increased significantly. Recently published studies have found a high prevalence of hypogonadism in patients with cancer91 and in patients receiving high doses of opioids.92 In both these studies, the presence of hypogonadism was associated with fatigue. Therapeutic trials of androgen replacement therapy in these patients for fatigue management are currently in progress. Pharmacologic Medications such as MA and dexamethasone may alleviate some of the symptoms of fatigue in 415 patients with advanced cancer.93,94 Corticosteroids have been shown to decrease fatigue via unknown mechanisms.95 The duration of benefit is between 2–4 weeks, and treatment may be suitable for patients with a short life expectancy. Prolonged use may induce myopathy and infection, thereby further contributing to fatigue. The usual starting dose in most studies is prednisone 20–40 mg per day or its equivalent. Psychostimulant medications have been shown in studies to ameliorate fatigue in patients with AIDS and multiple sclerosis.96,97 In a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of ambulatory patients with HIV, two psychostimulants—pemoline and methylphenidate— were shown to improve fatigue scores and quality of life. In patients with cancer, the most commonly used psychostimulant is methylphenidate. Dextroamphetamine, pemoline, and modafinil have also been used, although there have been no controlled comparisons of any of these drugs. Methylphenidate has been used in cancer patients to treat opioid induced somnolence, reduce pain intensity, treat depression, and improve cognition.98 Preliminary evidence suggests that psychostimulants may have a role in fatigue management in patients with cancer.99 Clinical trials are in progress. Modafinil, which is licensed for treatment of narcolepsy, is a novel psychostimulant that has been shown to be effective for management of fatigue in multiple sclerosis.100 Further research is warranted to evaluate its role in fatigue management in advanced chronic disease. Donepezil, a centrally acting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor approved for use in Alzheimer’s disease, may have a role in some patients with fatigue. Preliminary studies in patients with cancer have suggested at least shortterm benefit in treating opiate-related sedation,101 as well as improvement in fatigue scores.102 Randomized controlled trials are currently in progress. Nonpharmacologic approaches A multidisciplinary approach to management benefits patients with advanced cancer and other disease such as CHF.103 Patients with heart failure have a wide array of options104 should standard medical therapy (diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE]inhibitors, beta blockers, aldosterone antagonists, 416 digoxin) fail to improve fatigue and functional capacity. However, more invasive emerging therapies, such as ventricular assist devices or resynchronization pacing should be carefully discussed with the primary team before implementation, because of their considerable impact on complexity of care and hospital discharge. Patient education. Patients with symptoms of fatigue need to be counseled about the nature of symptoms, likely etiology of their fatigue, options for management, and the expected outcome. This will help patients and their families set realistic expectations. As the disease progresses, patients will need to adapt to progressive limitations in physical function and activity. Patient preferences for information and willingness to participate in exercise and other treatment options should be ascertained. Exercise programs. In patients with cancer, muscle abnormalities have been found even when lean body mass is constant and caloric intake normal. Excessive amounts of lactate have been found in tumor-free muscle tissues and it is unclear whether lactate is part of the pathogenic mechanism or consequent to it.105 Tumor-free muscle from tumorbearing animals show alterations in the activity of various enzymes, distribution of isoenzymes, and synthesis and breakdown of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins.106 Patients with breast cancer who underwent electrical stimulation of the abductor pollicis muscle via the ulnar nerve were found to have impaired maximal strength, decreased relaxation velocity, and increased fatigue compared to normal controls.107 In addition, medications such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine may contribute to myopathy.108 Deconditioning resulting from inactivity and prolonged bed rest results in loss of muscle mass and reduced cardiac output. This in turn decreases endurance and activities of daily living.109,110 There is good evidence111 to support the effectiveness of exercise in patients with fatigue.112–117 Exercise improves fatigue through an adaptive cardiorespiratory response, maintenance of muscle mass, improvement in mood, and quality of sleep. Several studies have shown that endurance exercise training improves fatigue and physical performance in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or in those who have undergone bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.118–120 Patients with multiple sclerosis121 who underwent an 8-week progressive DEL FABBRO ET AL. resistance training program reported decreased fatigue and disability. There are also similarities122 between COPD and CHF with regard to muscle dysfunction and the impact of exercise. Although there is abundance of data to support exercise, selection of the most appropriate program for patients with various types of advanced disease and different levels of performance status are not well defined. Any exercise program should be initiated gradually. Psychosocial interventions. Patients should be counseled about stress management and methods to deal with depression and anxiety, which are commonly associated with fatigue. Clinical studies testing interventions to reduce stress and increase psychosocial support in cancer patients have shown reduction in fatigue levels, although in many of these studies fatigue was a secondary endpoint.123–126 Nutrition and hydration. Patients may have decreased oral intake due to a variety of causes related to their illness or treatment. Referral to a nutritionist for dietary planning may be indicated if decreased intake is judged to be one of the causes of fatigue. Future treatment approaches Several promising approaches to fatigue management have been identified. Cytokine antagonists may be exploitable in combating the components of cancer-related fatigue and may also inhibit tumor growth.127 Pentoxifylline and bradykinin antagonists inhibit the release of cytokines, while others, such as COX-2 inhibitors, nonselective COX inhibitors, -melanocytes– stimulating hormone, and monoclonal antibodies,128 inhibit cytokine action. Thalidomide has been shown to improve the sensation of well-being in patients with cancer cachexia, and may also be helpful in cancer-related fatigue.129 Other potential treatment approaches that warrant research include human growth hormone, and Lcarnitine130 supplementation. REFERENCES 1. Ma G, Alexander HR: Prevalence and pathophysiology of cancer cachexia. In Bruera E, Portenoy RK (eds): Topics in Palliative Care. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998, pp. 91–129. SYMPTOM CONTROL: CACHEXIA, ANOREXIA, FATIGUE 2. DeWys WD, Begg D, Lavin PT: Prognostic effect of weight loss prior to chemotherapy in cancer patients. Am J Med 1980;69:491–499. 3. Skeletal muscle dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A statement of the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999;159:1–40. 4. Debigare R, Cote CH, Maltais F: Peripheral muscle wasting in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clinical relevance and mechanisms. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001;164:1712–1717. 5. Nahlen BL, Chu SY, Nwanyanwu OC, Berkelmon RL, Martinez SA, Rullon JV: HIV wasting syndrome in the United States. AIDS 1993;7:183–188. 6. Anker SD, Coats AJ: Cardiac cachexia: A syndrome with impaired survival and immune and neuroendocrine activation. Chest 1999;115:836–847. 7. Onwuamaegbu ME: Cachexia in malaria and heart failure: therapeutic considerations in clinical practice. Postgrad Med J 2004;80:642–649. 8. Roongpisuthipong C, Sobhonslidsuk A, Nantiruj K, Songchitsomboon S: Nutritional assessment in various stages of liver cirrhosis. Nutrition 2001;17:761–765. 9. Zaki MH, Nemeth JA, Trikha M: CNTO 328 a monoclonal antibody to IL-6 inhibits human tumor-induced cachexia in nude mice. Int J Cancer 2004 ;111:592–595. 10. Mantovani G, Maccio A, Madeddu C, Massa A: Cancer-related cachexia and oxidative stress:beyond current therapeutic options. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2003;3:381–392. 11. Mak RH, Cheung W, Cone RD, Marks DL: Orexigenic and anorexigenic mechanisms in the control of nutrition in chronic kidney disease. Pediatr Nephrol 2005;20:427–431. 12. Berry J, Baum C: Reversal of COPD-associated weight loss. Drugs 2004;64:1041–1052. 13. Rall LC, Roubenoff R: Rheumatoid cachexia: Metabolic abnormalities,mechanisms and interventions. Rheumatology 2004;43:1219–1223. 14. Ferrigno D, Buccheri G: Anthropometric measurements in non-small cell lung cancer. Supp Care Cancer 2001;9:522–527. 15. Loprinzi CL, Micholok JC, Schaid DJ, Mailliard JA, Athmann LM, Goldberg RM, Tschetter LK, Hatfield AK, Morton RF: Phase III evaluation of four doses of megestrol acetate as therapy for patients with cancer anorexia and/or cachexia. J Clin Oncol 1993;11:762–767. 16. Bruera E, Macmillan K, Kuehn N, Hanson J, MacDonald RN: A controlled trial of megestrol acetate on appetite, caloric intake, nutritional status, and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. Cancer 1990;66:1279–1282. 17. Bruera E, Ernst S, Hagen N, Spachynski K, Belzile M, Hanson J, Summers N, Brown B, Dulude H, Gallant G: Effectiveness of megestrol acetate in patients with advanced cancer: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Cancer Prev Control 1998;2:74–78. 18. Kornblith AB, Hollis DR, Zuckerman E, Lyss AP, 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 417 Canellos GP, Cooper MR, Herndon JE, Phillips CA, Abrams J, Aisner J: Effect of megestrol acetate on quality of life in a dose-response trial in women with advanced breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 1993;11:2081–2089. Loprinzi CL, Kugler JW, Sloan JA, Mailliard JA, Krock JE, Wilwerding MB, Rowland KM, Camoriano JK, Novotny PJ: Randomized comparison of megestrol acetate versus dexamethasone versus fluoxymesterone for the treatment of cancer anorexia/ cachexia. J Clin Oncol 1999;17:3299–3306. Pascual Lopez A, Roque i Figuls M, Urrutia Cuchi, Berenstein EG, Almenar Pasies B, Balcells Alegre M, Herdman M: Systematic review of megestrol acetate in the treatment of anorexia-cachexia syndrome. J Pain Symptom Manage 2004;27:360–369. Weisberg J, Wanger J, Olson J, Streit B, Fogarty C, Martin T, Casaburi R: Megestrol acetate stimulates weight gain and ventilation in underweight COPD patients. Chest 2002;121:1070–1078. Simons JPFHA, Aaronson NK, Vansteenkiste JF, ten Velde GP, Muller MJ, Drenth BM, Erdkamp FL, Cobben EG, Schoon EJ, Smeets JB, Schouten HC, Demedts M, Hillen HF, Blijham GH, Wouters EF: Effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on appetite, weight and quality of life in advanced-stage nonhormone-sensitive cancer: a placebo controlled multicenter study. J Clin Onc 1996;14:1077–1084. Popiela T, Lucchi R, Giongo F: Methylprednisolone as an appetite stimulant in patients with cancer. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 1989;25:1823–1829. Willox J, Corr J, Shaw J, Richardson M, Calman KC, Drennan M: Prednisolone as an appetite stimulant in patients with cancer. Br Med J 1984;27:288–290. Bruera E, Roca E, Cedaro l, Carraro S, Chacon R: Action of oral methylprednisolone in terminal cancer patients: A prospective randomized double blind study. Cancer Treat Rep 1985;69:751–754. Beal JE, Olson R, Laubenstein L, Morales JO, Bellman P, Yangco B, Lefkowitz L, Plasse TF, Shepard KV: Dronabinol as a treatment for anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with AIDS. J Pain Symptom Manage 1995;10:89–97. Walsh D, Nelson KA, Mahmoud FA: Established and potential therapeutic applications of cannabinoids in oncology. Support Care Cancer 2003;11:137–143. Lane M, Vogel CL, Ferguson J, Kranow S, Saiers JL, Hamm J, Salva K, Wiernik PH, Holroyde CP, Hammill S: Dronabinol and prochlorperazine in combination for treatment of cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. J Pain Symptom Manage 1991;6:352–359. Jatoi A, Windschitl HE, Loprinzi CL, Sloan JA, Dakhil SR, Mailliard JA, Pundaleeka S, Kardinal CG, Fitch TR, Krook JE, Novotny PJ, Christensen B: Dronabinol versus megestrol acetate versus combination therapy for cancer-associated anorexia: A North Central Cancer Treatment Group study. J Clin Oncol 2002;20:567–573. Beal JE, Olson R, Lefkowitz L, Laubenstein L, Bellman P, Yangco B, Morales JO, Murphy R, Powderly 418 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. DEL FABBRO ET AL. W, Plasse TF, Mosdell KW, Shepard KV: Long–term efficacy and safety of Dronabinol for AIDS-associated anorexia. J Pain Symp Manage 1997;14:7–14. Peuckmann V, Fisch M, Bruera E: Potential novel uses of thalidomide. Focus on palliative care. Drugs 2000;60:273–292. Bruera E, Neumann CM, Pituskin E, Calder K, Ball G, Hanson J: Thalidomide in patients with cachexia due to terminal cancer: preliminary report. Ann Oncol 1999;10:857–859. Gordon JN, Trebble TM, Ellis RD, Duncan HD, Johns T, Goggin PM: Thalidomide in the treatment of cancer cachexia:a randomized placebo controlled trial. Gut 2005;54:540–545. Khan ZH, Simpson EJ, Cole AT: Oesophageal cancer and cachexia:the effect of short–term treatment with thalidomide on weight loss and lean body mass. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2003;17: 677–682. Jacobson JM, Greenspan JS, Spritzler J, Ketter N, Fahey JL, Jackson JB, Fox L, Chernoff M, Wu AW, MacPhail L, Vasquez GJ, Wohl DA: Thalidomide for the treatment of oral aphthous ulcers in patients with HIV infection. N Engl J Med 1997;336:1487– 1493. Kaplan G, Thomas S, Fierer DS, Mulligan K, Haslett PA, Fessel WJ, Smith LG, Kook KA, Stirling D, Schambelan M: Thalidomide for the treatment of AIDS-associated wasting. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2000;16:1345–1355. Tramontana JM, Utaipat U, Molloy A, Akarasewi P, Burroughs M, Makonkawkeyoon S, Johnson B, Klausner JC, Ram W, Kaplan G: Thalidomide treatment reduces tumor necrosis factor alpha production and enhances weight gain in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Mol Med 1995;1:384–397. Orr R, Fiatarone Singh M: The anabolic androgenic steroid oxandrolone in the treatment of wasting and catabolic disorders:review of efficacy and safety. Drugs 2004;64:725–750. Yeh SS, DeGuzman B, Kramer T: Reversal of COPDassociated weight loss using the anabolic agent drolone. Chest 2002;122:421–428. Schols AM, Soeters R, Mostert R, Pluymers RJ, Wouters EF: Physiologic effects of nutritional support and anabolic steroids in patients with COPD. A placebo-controlled randomized trial. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 1995;152(4 Pt 1):1268–1274. Schambelan M, Mulligan K, Grunfeld C, Daar ES, LaMarca A, Kotler DP, Wang J, Bozzette SA, Breitmeyer JB: Recombinant human growth hormone in patients with HIV-associated wasting. A randomized placebo controlled trial. Serostim Study group. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:873–882. Vanitallie TB: Frailty in the elderly: Contributions of sarcopenia and visceral protein depletion. Metabolism 2003;52:22–26. Nagaya N, Kangawa K: Ghrelin improves left ventricular dysfunction and cardiac cachexia in heart failure. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2003;3:146–151. 44. Lissoni P: Is there a role for melatonin in supportive care? Supp Care Cancer 2002;10:110–116. 45. Persson C, Glimelius B, Ronalid J, Nygren P: Impact of fish oil and melatonin on cachexia in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer: A randomized pilot study. Nutrition 2005;21:170–178. 46. Barber MD, Ross JA, Voss AC, Tisdale MJ, Fedron KC: The effect of an oral nutritional supplement enriched with fish oil on weight loss in patients with pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 1999;81:80–86. 47. Bruera E, Strasser F, Palmer JL, Willey J, Calder K, Amyotte G, Baracos V: Effect of fish oil on appetite and other symptoms in patients with advanced cancer and anorexia/cachexia:a double blind placebo controlled study. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:129–134. 48. Jatoi A, Rowland K, Loprinzi CL, Sloan JA, Dakhil SR, MacDonald N, Gagnon B, Novotny PJ, Mailliard JA, Bushey TI, Nair S, Christensen B: An eicosapentaenoic acid supplement versus megestrol acetate versus both for patients with cancer-associated wasting. J Clin Oncol 2004;22:2469–2476. 49. Hryniewicz K, Androne AS, Hudaihed A, Katz SD: Partial reversal of cachexia by beta adrenergic receptor blocker therapy in patients with chronic heart failure. J Card Fail 2003;9:464–468. 50. Maltin CA, Delday MI, Watson JS, Heys SD, Nevison IM, Ritchie IK, Gibson PH: Clenbuterol a beta adrenoreceptor agonist, increases relative muscle strength in orthopaedic patients. Clin Sci 1993;84: 651–654. 51. Trikha M, Corringham R, Klein B, Rossi JF: Targeted anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody therapy for cancer: A review of the rationale and clinical evidence. Clin Cancer Res 2003;9:4653–4665. 52. Jirathitikal V, Metadilogkul O, Bourinbaiar AS: Increased body weight and improved quality of life in AIDS patients following V1 Immunitor administration. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004;58:110–115. 53. Davis MP, Khawam E, Pozuelo L, Lagman R: Management of symptoms associated with advanced cancer: Olanzapine and mirtazapine. A WHO project. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2002;2:365–376. 54. McGeer AJ, Detsky AS, O’Rourke K: Parenteral nutrition in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy :a meta analysis. Nutrition 1990;6:233–240. 55. Klein S, Koretz RL: Nutrition support in patients with cancer: What do the data really show? Nutr Clin Pract. 1994;9:91–100. 56. Hoda D, Jatoi A, Burnes J, Loprinzi C, Kelly D: Should patients with advanced, incurable cancers ever be sent home with total parenteral nutrition? Cancer 2005;103:863–868. 57. Lundholm K, Daneryd P, Bosaeus I, Korner U, Lindholm E: Palliative nutritional intervention in addition to cyclooxygenase and erythropoietin treatment for patients with malignant disease: Effects on survival, metabolism, and function. Cancer 2004;100: 1967–1977. 58. Ovesen L, Allingstrup L, Hannibal J, Mortensen EL, Hansen OP: Effect of dietary counseling on food in- SYMPTOM CONTROL: CACHEXIA, ANOREXIA, FATIGUE 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. take, body weight, response rate, survival, and quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A prospective, randomized study. J Clin Oncol 1993;11:2043–2049. Bruera E, MacDonald RN: Nutrition in cancer patients: An update and review of our experience. Issues in symptom control. 3. J Pain Symptom Manage 1998;3:133–140. Portenoy RK: Cancer-related fatigue: An immense problem. Oncologist 2000;5:350–352. Jenkins CA, Schulz M, Hanson J, Bruera E: Demographic, symptom, and medication profiles of cancer patients seen by a palliative care consult team in a tertiary referral hospital. J Pain Symptom Manage 2000;19:174–184. Curt GA, Breitbart W, Cella D, Groopman JE, Hornings SJ, Itri LM, Johnson DH, Miaskowski C, Scherr SL, Portenoy RK, Vogelzang NJ: Impact of cancerrelated fatigue on the lives of patients: New findings from the Fatigue Coalition. Oncologist 2000;5:353– 360. Asbury FD, Findaly H, Reynolds B, McKerracher K: Canadian survey of cancer patients’ experiences: Are their needs being met? J Pain Symptom Manage 1998;16:298–306. Servaes P, Verhagen C, Bleijenberg G: Fatigue in cancer patients during and after treatment: prevalence, correlates and interventions. Eur J Cancer 2002; 38:27–43. Irvine DM, Vincent L, Bubela N, Thompson L, Graydon L: A critical appraisal of the research literature investigating fatigue in the individual with cancer. Cancer Nurs 1991;14:188–199. Piper BF, Rieger PT, Brophy L, Haeuber D, Hood LE, Lyver A, Sharp E: Recent advances in the management of biotherapy-related side effects: fatigue. Oncol Nurs Forum 1989;16(Suppl 6):27–34. Skalla K, Rieger P: Fatigue. In: Rieger PT (ed): Biotherapy: Comprehensive Review. Boston: Jones & Bartlett, 1995, pp. 221–242. Dean GE, Spears L, Ferrell B, Quan WD, Groshon S, Mitchell MS: Fatigue in patients with cancer receiving interferon alpha. Cancer Pract 1995;3:164–171. Bower JE, Ganz PA, Desmond KA, Rowland JH, Meyerowitz BE, Belin TR: Fatigue in breast cancer survivors: Occurrence, correlates, and impact on quality of life. J Clin Oncol 2000;18:743–753. Fossa SD, Dahl AA, Loge JH: Fatigue, anxiety and depression in longterm survivors of testicular cancer. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:1249–1254. Servaes P, Verhagen S, Schreuder HW, Veth RP, Bleijenberg G: Fatigue after treatment for malignant and benign bone and soft tissue tumors. J Pain Symp Manage 2003;26:1113–1122. Horne G, Payne S: Removing the boundaries: Palliative care for patients with heart failure. Palliat Med 2004;18:291–296. Breitbart W, McDonald MV, Rosenfeld B, Monkman ND, Passik S: Fatigue in ambulatory AIDS patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 1998;15:157–167. 419 74. Portenoy RK, Itri LM: Cancer-related fatigue. Guidelines for evaluation and management. Oncologist 1999;4:1–10. 75. Cella DF, Tulsky DS, Gray G, Sarafian B, Linn E, Bonomi A, Silberman M, Yellen SB, Winicour P, Brannon J: The functional assessment of cancer therapy scale: Development and validation of the general measure. J Clin Oncol 1993;11:570–579. 76. Mendoza TR, Wang XS, Cleeland CS, Morrissey M, Johnson BA, Wendt JK, Huber SL: The rapid assessment of fatigue severity in cancer patients. Cancer. 1999;85:1186–1196. 77. Hwang SS, Chang VT, Kasimis BS: A comparison of three fatigue measures in veterans with cancer. Cancer Invest 2003;21:363–373. 78. Cella D: The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia (FACT-An) Scale: A new tool for the assessment of outcomes of cancer anemia and fatigue. Semin Hematol 1997;34:13–19. 79. Cella D, Kallich J, McDermott A, Xu X: The longitudinal relationship of hemoglobin, fatigue and quality of life in anemic cancer patients: Results from five randomized clinical trials. Ann Oncol 2004;15: 979–986. 80. Turner R, Anglin P, Burkes R, Couture F, Evans W, Goss G, Grimshaw R, Melosky B, Paterson A, Quirt I: Epoetin alfa in cancer patients: Evidence-based guidelines. J Pain Symptom Manage 2001;22:954– 965. 81. Glaspy J, Bukowski R, Steinberg D, Taylor C, Tchekmedyian S, Vadhan-Raj S: Impact of therapy with epoetin alfa on clinical outcomes in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies during cancer chemotherapy in community oncology practice. Procrit Study Group. J Clin Oncol 1997;15:1218–1234. 82. Henke M, Laszig R, Rube C, Schafer U, Haase KD, Schilcher B, Mose S, Beer K, Burger U, Daugherty C, Frommhold H: Erythropoietin to treat head and neck cancer patients with anaemia undergoing radiotherapy: Randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2003;362:1255–1260. 83. Bruera E: EAPC Meeting: Aahen 2005. 84. Valentine AD, Meyers CA: Cognitive and mood disturbance as causes and symptoms of fatigue in cancer patients. Cancer 2001;15(Suppl. 6):1694–1698. 85. Basaria S, Wahlstrom JT, Bobs AS: Clinical review 138: Anabolic-androgenic steroid therapy in the treatment of chronic diseases. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001;86:5108–5117. 86. Snyder PJ, Peachey H, Berlin JA, Hannoush P, Haddad G, Dlewati A, Santanna J, Loh L, Lenrow DA, Holmes J, Kapoor SC, Atkinson LE, Strom BL: Effects of testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:2670–2677. 87. Bhasin S, Storer TW, Berman N, Yarasheski KE, Clevenger B, Phillips J, Lee WP, Bunnell TJ, Casaburi R: Testosterone replacement increases fat-free mass and muscle size in hypogonadal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997;82:407–413. 88. Bhasin S, Storer TW, Asbel-Sethi N, Kilbourne A, 420 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. DEL FABBRO ET AL. Hays R, Sinha-Hikim, Shen R, Arver S, Beall G: Effects of testosterone replacement with a nongenital, transdermal system, Androderm, in human immunodeficiency virus-infected men with low testosterone levels. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998; 83:3155–3162. Grinspoon S, Corcoran C, Askari H, Schoenfeld D, Wolf L, Burrows B, Walsh M, Hayden D, Parlman K, Anderson E, Basgoz N, Klibanski A: Effects of androgen administration in men with the AIDS wasting syndrome. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trail. Ann Intern Med 1998;129: 18–26. Casaburi R, Bhasin S, Cosantino L: Effects of testosterone and resistance training in men with COPD. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2004;170:870–878. Shafqat A, Einhorn LH, Hanna N, Sledge GW, Hanna A, Juliar B, Monahan P, Bhatia S: Screening studies for fatigue and laboratory correlates in cancer patients undergoing treatment. Ann Oncol 2005;16:1545–1550. Rajagopal A, Vassilopoulou-Sellin R, Palmer JL, Kaur G, Bruera E: Symptomatic hypogonadism in male survivors of cancer with chronic exposure to opioids. Cancer 2004;100:851–858. Bruera E, Roca E, Cedaro L, Carraro S, Chacon R: Action of oral methylprednisolone in terminal cancer patients: a prospective randomized double-blind study. Cancer Treat Rep 1985;69:751–754. Bruera E, Ersnt S, Hagen N, Spachynski K, Belzile M, Hanson J, Summers N, Brown B, Dulude H, Gallant G: Effectiveness of megestrol acetate in patients with advanced cancer: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Cancer Prev Control 1998;2:74–78. Bruera E, Roca E, Cedaro L, Carraro S, Chacon R: Action of oral methylprednisolone in terminal cancer patients: A prospective randomized doubleblind study. Cancer Treat Rep 1985;69:751–754. Breitbart W, Rosenfeld B, Kaim M, Funesti-Esch J: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of psychostimulants for the treatment of fatigue in ambulatory patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease. Arch Intern Med 2001; 161:411–420. Krupp LB, Coyle PK, Doscher C, Miller A, Cross AH, Jandorf L, Halper J, Johnson B, Morgante L, Grimson R: Fatigue therapy in multiple sclerosis: A double-blind, randomized, parallel trial of amantadine, pemoline and placebo. Neurology 1995;45:1956– 1961. Rozans M, Dreisbach A, Lertora JJ, Kahn MJ: Palliative uses of methylphenidate in patients with cancer: A review. J Clin Oncol 2002;20:335–339. Bruera E, Driver L, Barnes EA, Willey J, Shen L, Palmer JL, Escalante C: Patient-controlled methylphenidate for the management of fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: A preliminary report. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:4439–4443. Zifko UA: Management of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. Drugs 2004;64:1295–1304. 101. Slatkin NE, Rhiner M: Treatment of opiate-related sedation: Utility of the cholinesterase inhibitors. J Support Oncol 2003;1:53–63. 102. Bruera E, Strasser F, Shen L, Palmer J, Willey J, Driver L, Burton A: The effect of donepezil on sedation and other symptoms in patients receiving opioids for cancer pain: A pilot study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2003;26:1049–1054. 103. Phillips C, Wright S, Kern D, Singa RM, Shepperd S, Rubin HR: Comprehensive discharge planning with post discharge support for older patients with congestive heart failure:a meta-analysis. JAMA 2004; 291:1358–1367. 104. Hauptman P, Havranek E: Integrating palliative care into heart failure care. Arch Intern Med 2005; 165:374–378. 105. Holroyde CP, Axelrod RS, Skutches CL, Haff AC, Paul P, Reichard GA: Lactate metabolism in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Cancer Res 1979; 39:4900–4904. 106. Warmolts JR, Peter K, Lewis RJ, Engel WK: Type II muscle fibre atrophy (II-atrophy: An early systemic effect of cancer. Neurology 1975;2:374. 107. Bruera E, Brenneis C, Michaud M, Jackson PI, MacDonald RN: Muscle electrophysiology in patients with advanced breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1988;80:282–285. 108. Tirdel GB, Girgis R, Fishman RS, Theodore J: Metabolic myopathy as a cuase of the exercise limitation in lung transplant recipients. J Heart Lung Transplant 1998;17:1231–1237. 109. Barnes EA, Bruera E: Fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: A review. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2002;12:424–428. 110. Germain P, Guell A, Marini JF: Muscle strength during bedrest with and without muscle exercise as a countermeasure. Eur J Appl Physiol 1995;71:342–348. 111. Lucia A, Earnest C, Perez M: Cancer–related fatigue: Can exercise physiology assist oncologists? Lancet Oncol 2003;4:616–625. 112. Mock V: Fatigue management: Evidence and guidelines for practice. Cancer 2001;92:1699–1707. 113. Ahlberg K, Ekman T, Gaston-Johansson F, Mock V: Assessment and management of cancer related fatigue in adults. Lancet 2003;362:640–650. 114. Dimeo FC: Effects of exercise on cancer-related fatigue. Cancer 2001;15(Suppl 6):1689–1693. 115. Courneya KS, Friedenreich CM: Physical exercise and quality of life following cancer diagnosis: A literature review. Ann Behav Med 1999;21: 171–179. 116. Schwartz AL: Daily fatigue patterns and effects of exercise in women with breast cancer. Cancer Pract 2000;8:16–24. 117. Mock V, Pickett M, Ropka M, Muscari Lin E, Stewart KJ, Rhodes V, McDaniel R, Grimm PM, Krumm S, McCorkle R: Fatigue, physical functioning, emotional distress, and quality of life outcomes of a walking intervention during breast cancer treatment. Cancer Pract 2001;9:119–127. SYMPTOM CONTROL: CACHEXIA, ANOREXIA, FATIGUE 118. Dimeo FC, Stieglitz RD, Novelli-Fischer U, Fetscher S, Keul J: Effects of physical activity on the fatigue and psychologic status of cancer patients during chemotherapy. Cancer. 1999;85:2273–2277. 119. Dimeo F, Fetscher S, Lange W, Mertelsmann R, Keul J: Effects of aerobic exercise on the physical performance and incidence of treatment-related complications after high-dose chemotherapy. Blood 1997;90: 3390–3394. 120. Dimeo F, Bertz H, Finke J, Fetscher S, Mertelsmann R, Keul J: An aerobic exercise program for patients with haematological malignancies after bone marrow transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 1996;18:1157–1160. 121. White LJ, McCoy SC, Castellano V, Gutlerrez G, Stevens JE, Walter G, Vandenborne K: Resistance training improves strength and functional capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2004;10:668–674. 122. Troosters T, Gosselink R, Decramer M: COPD and CHF: Two muscle diseases? J Cardiopulmon Rehabil 2004;24:137–145. 123. Fawzy NW: A psychoeducational nursing intervention to enhance coping and affective state in newly diagnosed malignant melanoma patients. Cancer Nurs 1995;18:427–438. 124. Spiegel D, Bloom JR, Yalom ID: Group Support for metastatic cancer patients: A randomized prospective outcome study. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1981; 38:527–533. 125. Fawzy FI, Cousins N, Fawzy NW, Kemeny M, Elashoff R, Morton D: A structured psychiatric intervention for cancer patients. Changes over time in 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 421 methods of coping and affective disturbance. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1990;47:720–725. Jacobsen PB, Meade CD, Stein KD, et al: Efficacy and costs of two forms of stress management training for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2002;20:2851–2862. Kurzrock R: The role of cytokines in cancer-related fatigue. Cancer 2001;92:1684–1688. Burks TF: New agents for the treatment of cancerrelated fatigue. Cancer 2001;15(Suppl 6):1714–1718. Bruera E, Neumann CM, Pitudkin E, Calder K, Ball G, Hanson J: Thalidomide in patients with cachexia due to terminal cancer: Preliminary report. Ann Oncol 1999;10:857–959. Cruciani RA, Dvorkin E, Homel P, Culliney B, Malamud S, Shaiova L, Fleishman S, Lapin J, Klein E, Lesage P, Portenoy R, Esteban-Cruciani N: L-carnitine supplementation for the treatment of fatigue and depressed mood in cancer patients with carnitine deficiency: A preliminary analysis. Ann NY Acad Sci 2004;1033:168–176. Address reprint requests to: Eduardo Bruera, M.D. Department of Palliative and Rehabilitation Medicine University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Box 008 1515 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 E-mail: [email protected]