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pubmed:abstractText |
Oesophageal cancer patients with substantial weight loss have worse prognosis. Weight loss is often refractory to the nutritional support. Causes of the weight loss are multiple: oesophageal stricture, frequent alcohol abuse, cancer related cachexia. It may be a consequence of metabolic changes mediated by cytokines, hormones and tumour derived products. Leptin, a protein produced by adipocytes, is an important signalling molecule in energy regulation, metabolism of fatty acids and it can also augment tumour growth of various cancer cell lines. Enhanced intake of poly-unsaturated fatty acids may play an important role in the reversal of cancer related weight loss.
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