In the large multicenter study, which cancers had the lowest prevalence of weight loss at diagnosis?

In the large multicenter study, which cancers had the lowest prevalence of weight loss at diagnosis?

• A. Sarcomas, breast and hematologic cancers
• B. Pancreatic and gastric
• C. Prostate, colon and lung
• D. Ovarian and pancreatic

Answer: (A)

Weight loss at diagnosis reflects how a tumor affects metabolism, appetite, and symptoms, which varies by cancer type. In a large multicenter study, cancers that often present with localized disease or fewer systemic symptoms tend to show lower rates of weight loss at diagnosis. The group with the lowest prevalence includes sarcomas, breast cancers, and hematologic malignancies, because these cancers more frequently present without pronounced cachexia or significant appetite loss at the time of diagnosis. Other cancer types, especially pancreatic and gastric, are more likely to cause substantial weight loss due to aggressive disease biology and GI tract involvement, which is why they are not in this lowest-prevalence group.

Weight loss at diagnosis reflects how a tumor affects metabolism, appetite, and symptoms, which varies by cancer type. In a large multicenter study, cancers that often present with localized disease or fewer systemic symptoms tend to show lower rates of weight loss at diagnosis. The group with the lowest prevalence includes sarcomas, breast cancers, and hematologic malignancies, because these cancers more frequently present without pronounced cachexia or significant appetite loss at the time of diagnosis. Other cancer types, especially pancreatic and gastric, are more likely to cause substantial weight loss due to aggressive disease biology and GI tract involvement, which is why they are not in this lowest-prevalence group.