American journal of clinical oncology
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Am. J. Clin. Oncol. · Aug 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAnticachectic efficacy of megestrol acetate at different doses and versus placebo in patients with neoplastic cachexia.
Anorexia and cachexia are present in the majority of patients with advanced-stage cancer. Several agents have been tested for their ability to reverse weight loss in these patients. Megestrol acetate has been demonstrated to improve appetite and weight, independent of tumor response, when used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. ⋯ There were no thromboembolic events. This trial supports the efficacy of megestrol acetate at 480 mg/day in the treatment of cancer-related cachexia and anorexia, with mild toxicity. However, performance status and quality of life were not influenced by this treatment.