10 Gastric Cancer Symptoms
Symptom #10: Weight Loss
Weight loss occurs when there is a decrease in the total body mass due to loss of adipose tissue, lean muscle, fluid, bone mineral deposits, and other connective tissue. Weight loss can be divided into intentional and unintentional. Unintentional weight loss may be caused by malnourishment or underlying disease. When the weight loss is not caused by exercise or reduction in calorie intake, it can also be called cachexia. More specifically, cachexia is seen in individuals with cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, celiac disease, heart failure, and tuberculosis.
It is estimated that about 50 percent of patients with cancer suffer from cachexia. It is most commonly seen in individuals with pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal cancers.
Advertisement
