Unexplained weight loss is a symptom that requires a doctor's consultation. It can be a reason to be wary of cancer, Natalya Sidorova, associate professor at the Department of Oncology, Hematology and Radiation Therapy at the Institute of Medical Sciences of Pirogov University, told “RuNews24.ru”.
This does not apply to any weight fluctuations, but to a specific situation. Unexplained weight loss refers to cases when a person has not made any changes to their diet, increased physical activity or used weight loss medications. Weight loss of more than 5-10% of their initial weight within about six months is considered a serious reason to consult a specialist.
“However, short-term changes in weight alone do not always indicate a disease. Weight can change temporarily due to fluid retention or loss, changes in diet or physical activity. "Much more attention should be paid to progressive weight loss that continues over a long period of time. Additional signs may include noticeably loose clothing, decreased muscle mass, persistent weakness, decreased appetite and taste preferences," Sidorova explained.
She explained that this condition has many causes, including those unrelated to cancer. A person may not notice how they have started to eat less. This can occur due to prolonged stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or recovery from an infection. Older people reduce their food intake due to dental disease and difficulty swallowing. Sometimes food becomes less appealing due to impaired taste perception.
The specialist noted that when assessing the patient, it is important to consider the combination of symptoms. Weight loss, accompanied by increasing weakness, fever, severe night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, unexplained bruising, or changes in the general blood test, is a cause for concern. The examination should not be postponed if the pain persists, there are problems with swallowing, persistent diarrhea, repeated vomiting, or signs of blood loss. “Unexplained weight loss in itself is not evidence of the presence of cancer. It is a non-specific symptom that can occur in many diseases. Therefore, the doctor does not evaluate it in isolation, but compares it with the patient’s other complaints, examination results, medical history, and laboratory tests,” the specialist noted.
Diagnosis should begin with a visit to a general practitioner. Initially, the doctor may order a complete blood count and biochemical profile, checking liver and kidney function, glucose levels, inflammatory markers, and thyroid function. Further actions and tests are determined after receiving the results. Sidorova emphasizes that you should not try to do a comprehensive cancer screening on your own. Unsupervised testing of a large number of tumor markers or a whole-body CT scan is not a universal way to determine the cause of weight loss. On the contrary, these tests can give random or inconclusive results, which leads to unnecessary tests and anxiety.
The specialist explained that a more effective approach is a sequential approach. It is necessary to first determine the nature and causes of weight loss, and then, based on these data, select appropriate diagnostic methods. He emphasized that there is no single test that can immediately determine the cause of unexplained weight loss. The scope of testing should be developed individually, taking into account the person’s age, accompanying symptoms, medical history, and the results of the initial diagnosis.
