PURPOSE: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials have now established that megestrol acetate causes appetite stimulation and weight gain in patients with anorexia and/or cachexia. There is a paucity of available data to delineate the substance of this increased weight. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and tritiated body water methodologies, we performed body-composition measurements in 12 patients with advanced cancer before the institution of oral megestrol acetate (800 mg/d) and at subsequent 2-month intervals. RESULTS: Seven of the 12 patients gained weight (2.1 to 16.5 kg) and had repeat body-composition measurements performed at the time of maximum weight gain. The vast majority of the gained weight was clearly from an increase in adipose tissue, while there was a suggestion that an increase in body fluid was responsible for a minority of the weight gain. CONCLUSION: Megestrol acetate-induced weight gain is primarily the result of an increase in body mass.
PURPOSE: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials have now established that megestrol acetate causes appetite stimulation and weight gain in patients with anorexia and/or cachexia. There is a paucity of available data to delineate the substance of this increased weight. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and tritiated body water methodologies, we performed body-composition measurements in 12 patients with advanced cancer before the institution of oral megestrol acetate (800 mg/d) and at subsequent 2-month intervals. RESULTS: Seven of the 12 patients gained weight (2.1 to 16.5 kg) and had repeat body-composition measurements performed at the time of maximum weight gain. The vast majority of the gained weight was clearly from an increase in adipose tissue, while there was a suggestion that an increase in body fluid was responsible for a minority of the weight gain. CONCLUSION:Megestrol acetate-induced weight gain is primarily the result of an increase in body mass.
Authors: Scott Shadfar; Marion E Couch; Kibwei A McKinney; Lisa J Weinstein; Xiaoying Yin; Jessica E Rodríguez; Denis C Guttridge; Monte Willis Journal: Nutr Cancer Date: 2011-06-09 Impact factor: 2.900
Authors: Jennifer S Temel; Joseph A Greer; Sarah Goldberg; Paula Downes Vogel; Michael Sullivan; William F Pirl; Thomas J Lynch; David C Christiani; Matthew R Smith Journal: J Thorac Oncol Date: 2009-05 Impact factor: 15.609