Symptoms - Weight Loss

Blood cancers can affect your body in many ways. Some blood cancer symptoms, like weight loss, may also impact other symptoms and your treatment. Blood cancer may cause unexpected weight loss, or weight loss that occurs without trying to lose weight.^1-3

What are the effects of unexplained weight loss?

Unexplained weight loss may impact the way you feel physically and emotionally. It can also make it harder for you to handle your treatments. Weight loss can cause you to:^1,3

• Feel weak
• Feel dizzy
• Feel extremely tired or low energy
• Be unusually thirsty
• Have a higher risk of infections

People with advanced cancer may develop cancer cachexia. This may also be called wasting syndrome. With cachexia, your body loses muscle and fat. It can cause low nutrient levels and may be life-threatening.^1,4

Why does blood cancer cause weight loss?

Blood cancer can lead to weight loss in several ways. Some people experience unexplained weight loss before they receive a cancer diagnosis. This weight loss may be an early sign of cancer. Always tell your doctor if you lose more than 5 percent of your weight within 1 year if you are not trying to.^1-3

People with blood cancer may have weight loss because the cancer cells use up more of the body's energy supply than healthy cells. Cancer cells can grow quickly, which can impact the body's normal functions. This can increase the amount of calories your body burns. If you are not eating more food, this can cause weight loss.^1-3

However, blood cancers may cause a lack of appetite. For example, some people with blood cancer may experience chronic pain or depression. Both of these can cause a lack of interest in food. When your appetite is lower, you often eat less than usual. Over time, eating less, along with the strain cancer puts on your body, can lead to weight loss.^1,3,4

Certain blood cancer treatments also can cause weight loss. Some treatments have side effects that can make it harder for people to eat or absorb nutrients from food. Side effects of cancer treatment may include:^1,4

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Mouth sores
• A change in how foods taste

How is weight loss from blood cancer treated?

Treating blood cancer can sometimes help treat and reverse weight loss. However, if weight loss is caused by the cancer treatment, it cannot always be avoided. Treatment for weight loss often focuses on reducing possible complications such as cachexia and maintaining your strength. Tips that may help include:^1,2

• Try to drink lots of liquids between meals instead of during meals. Drinking at mealtime may fill you up. Check with your doctor if you have a fluid restriction.
• Try eating many small meals or snacks during the day.
• Choose snacks high in calories and protein, like nuts, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, or granola.
• Between meals, drink smoothies or nutritional supplements that have extra calories and protein.

Talk with your cancer team about your weight loss concerns. They can help you plan for how to manage this symptom. You can also work with a nutritionist or registered dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan for your needs.^1-3