PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CANCER - HORMONAL AND METABOLIC ABNORMALITIES

Despite the development of advanced nutritional support technology, malnutrition remains a significant morbid and mortal complication of cancer. A number of metabolic abnormalities have been demonstrated in malnourished cancer patients, including increased protein breakdown, increased glucose production, increased lipolysis, hypogonadism in male patients, and insulin resistance. Previous studies conducted under metabolic ward conditions have demonstrated that metabolic abnormalities interfere with efforts at renutrition of patients with localized head and neck cancer. Efforts to correct these abnormalities by treatment with hydrazine sulfate, anabolic androgens, and insulinotropic drugs have been ineffective. An improved understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer malnutrition may lead to improved therapies of this vexing clinical problem.