Comment dépister la dénutrition au cours du cancer?

Weight loss is the key screening element for malnutrition, and if present must be followed-up by a complete nutritional assessment. This assessment, made by a professional in nutrition, should include an evaluation of energy balance as well as a measurement of inflammatory activity. To be complete, it must also measure body composition. An analysis of the quality of life, the muscular strength and the immune functions reveals the level of functional impairment associated with the nutritional status. The increasing frequency of obese patients and the high incidence of cancer associated with weight excess point to the problem of early detection of decrease in muscle mass.