Cancer Cachexia (CC) - Epidemiology Forecast - 2034
Description
Key Highlights
Cancer cachexia is a complex, multifactorial syndrome characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle and fat, resulting in severe weakness and fatigue. Distinct from malnutrition, it is not reversible through nutrition alone and primarily affects individuals with advanced cancer. Its pathophysiology involves a dynamic interplay of tumor-derived and host-mediated factors that differentiate it from other causes of wasting.
Cancer cachexia is driven by chronic inflammation that disrupts metabolism—reducing appetite, increasing muscle and fat breakdown, and raising energy expenditure. Tumor-related cytokines worsen glucose and lipid metabolism, trigger insulin resistance, and shift the body toward catabolism, especially in lung, pancreatic, upper GI, and head and neck cancers.
In 2024, DelveInsight estimated approximately 1.4 million diagnosed prevalent cases of cancer cachexia across the 7MM, reflecting a significant burden on global healthcare systems.
The US contributed nearly 600 thousand diagnosed cases of cancer cachexia in 2024—accounting for around 45% of the total burden—making it the most affected country among the 7MM.
According to DelveInsight, in the US, the burden of cancer cachexia was highest among individuals aged 65 years and above, with approximately 340 thousand cases, while the <20 years age group had the lowest prevalence, at roughly 1,100 cases.
In the same year, the EU4 and the UK together represented approximately 40% of the total diagnosed prevalence, while Japan accounted for about 15%, with nearly 220 thousand cases reported.
Among EU4 and the UK, Germany recorded the highest number of diagnosed prevalent cases in 2024 at around 150 thousand, whereas Spain reported the lowest, with approximately 80 thousand cases.
In summary, cancer cachexia posed a considerable health challenge across the 7MM, with the highest prevalence observed in older adults and males. The disease burden varied by age and tumor type, reinforcing the importance of early recognition, personalized care, and region-specific strategies to improve patient outcomes.
DelveInsight’s “Cancer Cachexia– Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of Cancer Cachexia historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.
Cancer Cachexia: Disease Understanding
Cancer Cachexia Overview
Cancer cachexia is a multifaceted syndrome marked by the loss of fat, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle, along with reduced appetite, fatigue, and diminished physical activity in cancer patients. Unlike general malnutrition, it cannot be completely reversed through nutritional intervention alone, as it results from inflammation and metabolic disturbances triggered by complex interactions between the tumor and the host.
Cancer cachexia is primarily driven by inflammation, with additional contributions from altered metabolism, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances. Inflammatory responses can lead to appetite loss, increased metabolic rate, and tissue wasting, while disrupted metabolism accelerates the breakdown of muscle and fat. Insulin resistance further limits cellular energy uptake, and hormonal shifts.
Cancer cachexia presents with severe weight and muscle loss, fatigue, anorexia, early satiety, taste changes, and anemia. Patients often appear emaciated with sunken cheeks, visible ribs and bones, sagging breasts, and atrophic skin. Common signs include elevated heart rate, scaphoid or distended abdomen, and prominent joints due to muscle atrophy. Fluid imbalance may cause localized swelling or ulcers, especially in pressure-prone areas. Hair and nail growth slow, and nail changes may reflect illness duration.
Cancer Cachexia Diagnosis
Cancer cachexia is a complex, multi-dimensional condition that requires a comprehensive evaluation of each patient to determine their overall status and guide appropriate treatment decisions. Diagnostic assessment mainly focuses on nutritional status, body weight and composition, quality of life, and relevant biomarkers. Inadequate nutritional intake is a common concern in advanced cancer, making early malnutrition screening essential.
Diagnosis involves an integrated assessment of nutritional status, body composition, muscle strength, and inflammatory markers. Tools like the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) detect malnutrition, while Computed Tomography (CT), Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) measure tissue loss. Handgrip strength and quality of life scales assess functional impairment. While markers like albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) are commonly used, no single biomarker defines cachexia. Scoring systems such as the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), Cancer Cachexia Scoring System (CASCO), and Cachexia Staging Score (CSS) aid in classification and prognosis
Cancer Cachexia Epidemiology
The Cancer cachexia epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by total diagnosed prevalent cases of cancer cachexia, gender-specific cases of cancer cachexia, tumor type-specific cases of cancer cachexia, and age-specific cases of cancer cachexia, in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034.
In 2024, DelveInsight estimated that cancer cachexia in the US exhibited a distinct gender distribution, with males comprising approximately 60% of diagnosed prevalent cases and females accounting for the remaining 40%, highlighting a moderate male predominance in disease burden.
In the US, tumor-type-specific data from 2024 showed that lung cancer was the leading contributor to cancer cachexia burden, with nearly 115 thousand diagnosed prevalent cases, followed by colorectal cancer with approximately 90 thousand cases, reinforcing the association between aggressive malignancies and cachexia development.
DelveInsight’s 2024 analysis revealed that among the EU4 and the UK, colorectal cancer accounted for the largest share of cancer cachexia cases at around 22%, whereas melanoma of the skin contributed the least, with only about 2% of the total—reflecting variability in cachexia burden by tumor type.
In Japan, cancer cachexia prevalence in 2024 rose significantly with age. Individuals aged 65 and above accounted for the highest number of cases at approximately 140 thousand, followed by 66 thousand cases in the 45–64 age group and 9 thousand in the 20–44 age group—emphasizing the age-linked progression of disease impact.
In 2024, Japan reported approximately 220 thousand diagnosed prevalent cases of cancer cachexia, reflecting a significant clinical burden.
KOL Views
To gaze into the epidemiology insights of the real world, we take KOLs and SMEs’ opinions working in the domain through primary research to fill the data gaps and validate our secondary research on disease incidence.
DelveInsight’s analysts connected with 20+ KOLs to gather insights; however, interviews were conducted with 10+ KOLs in the 7MM. Centers such as the Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA, US; University Medicine Essen - Ruhrlandklinik, Germany; Institut Curi, France; Università Politecnica delle Marche Home, Italy; Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Spain; Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals Trust, UK; National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan and others were contacted. Their opinion helps understand and validate current disease prevalence, gender involved with the disease, diagnosis rate, and diagnostic criteria.
Scope of the Report
The report covers a segment of an executive summary, and a descriptive overview of cancer cachexia explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis.
Comprehensive insight into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, and disease progression have been provided.
A detailed review of current challenges in establishing diagnosis and diagnosis rate is provided.
Cancer cachexia Report Insights
Patient Population
Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
Cancer cachexia Report Key Strengths
Ten-year Forecast
The 7MM Coverage
Cancer cachexia Epidemiology Segmentation
Cancer cachexia Report Assessment
Epidemiology Segmentation
Current Diagnostic Practices
FAQs
Epidemiology Insights
What are the disease risks, burdens, and unmet needs of cancer cachexia? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to cancer cachexia?
What is the historical and forecasted cancer cachexia patient pool in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan?
What is the diagnostic pattern of cancer cachexia?
Which clinical factors will affect cancer cachexia?
Which factors will affect the increase in the diagnosis of cancer cachexia?
Reasons to buy
Insights on disease burden, details regarding diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
To understand the change in cancer cachexia cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
? A detailed overview of total diagnosed prevalent cases of cancer cachexia, gender-specific cases of cancer cachexia, tumor type-specific cases of cancer cachexia, and age-specific Cases of cancer cachexia is included.
Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.
Cancer cachexia is a complex, multifactorial syndrome characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle and fat, resulting in severe weakness and fatigue. Distinct from malnutrition, it is not reversible through nutrition alone and primarily affects individuals with advanced cancer. Its pathophysiology involves a dynamic interplay of tumor-derived and host-mediated factors that differentiate it from other causes of wasting.
Cancer cachexia is driven by chronic inflammation that disrupts metabolism—reducing appetite, increasing muscle and fat breakdown, and raising energy expenditure. Tumor-related cytokines worsen glucose and lipid metabolism, trigger insulin resistance, and shift the body toward catabolism, especially in lung, pancreatic, upper GI, and head and neck cancers.
In 2024, DelveInsight estimated approximately 1.4 million diagnosed prevalent cases of cancer cachexia across the 7MM, reflecting a significant burden on global healthcare systems.
The US contributed nearly 600 thousand diagnosed cases of cancer cachexia in 2024—accounting for around 45% of the total burden—making it the most affected country among the 7MM.
According to DelveInsight, in the US, the burden of cancer cachexia was highest among individuals aged 65 years and above, with approximately 340 thousand cases, while the <20 years age group had the lowest prevalence, at roughly 1,100 cases.
In the same year, the EU4 and the UK together represented approximately 40% of the total diagnosed prevalence, while Japan accounted for about 15%, with nearly 220 thousand cases reported.
Among EU4 and the UK, Germany recorded the highest number of diagnosed prevalent cases in 2024 at around 150 thousand, whereas Spain reported the lowest, with approximately 80 thousand cases.
In summary, cancer cachexia posed a considerable health challenge across the 7MM, with the highest prevalence observed in older adults and males. The disease burden varied by age and tumor type, reinforcing the importance of early recognition, personalized care, and region-specific strategies to improve patient outcomes.
DelveInsight’s “Cancer Cachexia– Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of Cancer Cachexia historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.
Cancer Cachexia: Disease Understanding
Cancer Cachexia Overview
Cancer cachexia is a multifaceted syndrome marked by the loss of fat, skeletal muscle, and cardiac muscle, along with reduced appetite, fatigue, and diminished physical activity in cancer patients. Unlike general malnutrition, it cannot be completely reversed through nutritional intervention alone, as it results from inflammation and metabolic disturbances triggered by complex interactions between the tumor and the host.
Cancer cachexia is primarily driven by inflammation, with additional contributions from altered metabolism, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances. Inflammatory responses can lead to appetite loss, increased metabolic rate, and tissue wasting, while disrupted metabolism accelerates the breakdown of muscle and fat. Insulin resistance further limits cellular energy uptake, and hormonal shifts.
Cancer cachexia presents with severe weight and muscle loss, fatigue, anorexia, early satiety, taste changes, and anemia. Patients often appear emaciated with sunken cheeks, visible ribs and bones, sagging breasts, and atrophic skin. Common signs include elevated heart rate, scaphoid or distended abdomen, and prominent joints due to muscle atrophy. Fluid imbalance may cause localized swelling or ulcers, especially in pressure-prone areas. Hair and nail growth slow, and nail changes may reflect illness duration.
Cancer Cachexia Diagnosis
Cancer cachexia is a complex, multi-dimensional condition that requires a comprehensive evaluation of each patient to determine their overall status and guide appropriate treatment decisions. Diagnostic assessment mainly focuses on nutritional status, body weight and composition, quality of life, and relevant biomarkers. Inadequate nutritional intake is a common concern in advanced cancer, making early malnutrition screening essential.
Diagnosis involves an integrated assessment of nutritional status, body composition, muscle strength, and inflammatory markers. Tools like the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) detect malnutrition, while Computed Tomography (CT), Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) measure tissue loss. Handgrip strength and quality of life scales assess functional impairment. While markers like albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) are commonly used, no single biomarker defines cachexia. Scoring systems such as the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), Cancer Cachexia Scoring System (CASCO), and Cachexia Staging Score (CSS) aid in classification and prognosis
Cancer Cachexia Epidemiology
The Cancer cachexia epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by total diagnosed prevalent cases of cancer cachexia, gender-specific cases of cancer cachexia, tumor type-specific cases of cancer cachexia, and age-specific cases of cancer cachexia, in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034.
In 2024, DelveInsight estimated that cancer cachexia in the US exhibited a distinct gender distribution, with males comprising approximately 60% of diagnosed prevalent cases and females accounting for the remaining 40%, highlighting a moderate male predominance in disease burden.
In the US, tumor-type-specific data from 2024 showed that lung cancer was the leading contributor to cancer cachexia burden, with nearly 115 thousand diagnosed prevalent cases, followed by colorectal cancer with approximately 90 thousand cases, reinforcing the association between aggressive malignancies and cachexia development.
DelveInsight’s 2024 analysis revealed that among the EU4 and the UK, colorectal cancer accounted for the largest share of cancer cachexia cases at around 22%, whereas melanoma of the skin contributed the least, with only about 2% of the total—reflecting variability in cachexia burden by tumor type.
In Japan, cancer cachexia prevalence in 2024 rose significantly with age. Individuals aged 65 and above accounted for the highest number of cases at approximately 140 thousand, followed by 66 thousand cases in the 45–64 age group and 9 thousand in the 20–44 age group—emphasizing the age-linked progression of disease impact.
In 2024, Japan reported approximately 220 thousand diagnosed prevalent cases of cancer cachexia, reflecting a significant clinical burden.
KOL Views
To gaze into the epidemiology insights of the real world, we take KOLs and SMEs’ opinions working in the domain through primary research to fill the data gaps and validate our secondary research on disease incidence.
DelveInsight’s analysts connected with 20+ KOLs to gather insights; however, interviews were conducted with 10+ KOLs in the 7MM. Centers such as the Johns Hopkins Hospital, USA, US; University Medicine Essen - Ruhrlandklinik, Germany; Institut Curi, France; Università Politecnica delle Marche Home, Italy; Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Spain; Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals Trust, UK; National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan and others were contacted. Their opinion helps understand and validate current disease prevalence, gender involved with the disease, diagnosis rate, and diagnostic criteria.
Scope of the Report
The report covers a segment of an executive summary, and a descriptive overview of cancer cachexia explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis.
Comprehensive insight into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, and disease progression have been provided.
A detailed review of current challenges in establishing diagnosis and diagnosis rate is provided.
Cancer cachexia Report Insights
Patient Population
Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
Cancer cachexia Report Key Strengths
Ten-year Forecast
The 7MM Coverage
Cancer cachexia Epidemiology Segmentation
Cancer cachexia Report Assessment
Epidemiology Segmentation
Current Diagnostic Practices
FAQs
Epidemiology Insights
What are the disease risks, burdens, and unmet needs of cancer cachexia? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to cancer cachexia?
What is the historical and forecasted cancer cachexia patient pool in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan?
What is the diagnostic pattern of cancer cachexia?
Which clinical factors will affect cancer cachexia?
Which factors will affect the increase in the diagnosis of cancer cachexia?
Reasons to buy
Insights on disease burden, details regarding diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
To understand the change in cancer cachexia cases in varying geographies over the coming years.
? A detailed overview of total diagnosed prevalent cases of cancer cachexia, gender-specific cases of cancer cachexia, tumor type-specific cases of cancer cachexia, and age-specific Cases of cancer cachexia is included.
Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.
Table of Contents
77 Pages
- 1. Key Insights
- 2. Report Introduction
- 3. Cancer Cachexia Patient Overview at a Glance
- 3.1. Patient Share Distribution (%) in the 7MM in 2024
- 3.2. Patient Share Distribution (%) in the 7MM in 2034
- 4. Executive Summary
- 5. Epidemiology Forecast Methodology
- 6. Disease Background and Overview
- 6.1. Introduction
- 6.2. Signs and Symptoms
- 6.3. Causes
- 6.4. Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis
- 6.4.1. Diagnostic Algorithm
- 6.4.2. Differential Diagnosis
- 6.4.3. Diagnostic Guidelines
- 7. Epidemiology and Patient Population
- 7.1. Key Findings
- 7.2. Assumptions and Rationale
- 7.3. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Cancer Cachexia in the 7MM
- 7.5. The United States
- 7.5.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Cancer Cachexia in the United States
- 7.5.2. Gender-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in the United States
- 7.5.3. Tumor Type-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in the United States
- 7.5.4. Age-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in the United States
- 7.6. EU4 and the UK
- 7.6.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Cancer Cachexia in EU4 and the UK
- 7.6.2. Gender-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in EU4 and the UK
- 7.6.3. Tumor Type-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in EU4 and the UK
- 7.6.4. Age-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in EU4 and the UK
- 7.7. Japan
- 7.7.1. Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Cancer Cachexia in Japan
- 7.7.2. Gender-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in Japan
- 7.7.3. Tumor Type-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in Japan
- 7.7.4. Age-specific Cases of Cancer Cachexia in Japan
- 8. KOL Views
- 9. Appendix
- 9.1. Acronyms and Abbreviations
- 9.2. Bibliography
- 9.3. Report Methodology
- 11. DelveInsight Capabilities
- 12. Disclaimer
- 13. About DelveInsight
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