Megestrol acetate in cancer patients with anorexia and weight loss a hellenic co-operative oncology group (heCOG) study
Date
1993Author
Skarlos, Dimosthenis V.Fountzilas, George
Pavlidis, Nicholas
Beer, M.
Makrantonakis, P.
Aravantinos, Gerasimos
Pantelakos, P.
Tsavaris, N.
Karpasitis, N.
Kosmidis, Paraskevas A.
Source
Acta OncologicaVolume
32Issue
1Pages
37-41Google Scholar check
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Show full item recordAbstract
Fifty-two patients with hormone-independent cancer, who complained of anorexia and of weight loss with at least 10% received megestrol acetate (MA), 480 mg daily, during 1-21 weeks. of the 41 patients treated during 4 weeks or longer, 38 experienced weight gain. Monthly subjective evaluation of six parameters using a linear analog self-assessment (LASA) form showed a significant improvement in the patient's rating of appetite, mood, nausea and vomiting, and quality of life; the tumor was progressive in 21, stable in 11 and it regressed in only 9 of these patients. No toxicity was observed; one case of death due to a congestive heart failure remains unexplained. MA at the dose used is a powerful appetite stimulant; it contributes to weight increase and might improve the subjective appreciation of quality of life. MA at lower doses should be compared in a prospective trial to the dose used in this study. ©1993 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.