Sarcopenia in terminally ill patients with cancer: Clinical implications, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies

Sarcopenia in terminally ill patients with cancer: Clinical implications, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies 
Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care; by Se-Il Go, Myoung Hee Kang, and Hoon-Gu Kim; 3/1/25 
Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, is a prevalent but often overlooked condition in patients with cancer who are terminally ill. It contributes to functional decline, increased symptom burden, and reduced quality of life, yet remains underrecognized in palliative care. Diagnosing sarcopenia in this population is challenging because conventional imaging techniques are often impractical. Instead, alternative assessments, such as the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls questionnaire (SARC-F), anthropometric measurements, and bioelectrical impedance analysis offer feasible options. Management should focus on symptom relief, functional preservation, and patient comfort, rather than on muscle mass restoration.