Loss of appetite or anorexia is a lack of desire to eat food. It is commonly observed in cancer patients. Loss of appetite can occur due to cancer disease or cancer treatment. Some of the common cancers that affect appetite are stomach cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy that is targeted on the stomach and intestine causes loss of appetite. Any problem in the gastrointestinal tract causes a lack of desire to eat.
If loss of appetite is ignored it can cause weight loss and waste of muscles. All these together may affect the already compromised immune system in cancer patients. Drastic weight loss may affect the treatment plan or even delay the treatment required.
Loss of appetite may also occur as side effects such as mouth sores, problems in swallowing and chewing foods.
There are various factors related to cancer that affects the appetite. Cancer causes loss of appetite due to the following reasons –
Apart from cancer, other health issues also cause loss of appetite. Loss of appetite is temporary if the cause is undergoing treatment. Whereas the problem lasts long if other factors are involved.
Cancer patients suffering from loss of appetite must visit a doctor if the following symptoms are present –
Your oncologist may refer you to a nutritionist to improve the appetite and increase the amount calorie intake. Unlike nutrition required for normal people, cancer patients require a balanced nutritious diet.
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