Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is the attempt to differentiating the pathophysiologic and clinical features of the aging-related sarcopenia from cancer-related sarcopenia. In fact, there is some controversy among the experts mainly regarding two points: is always sarcopenia, even that aging-related one, the expression of a generalized disease or may exist independently and without major alteration of the muscle function? Are always aging-related and cancer-related sarcopenia completely separated entities?

RECENT FINDINGS

Literature shows that sarcopenia, defined as simple skeletal muscle mass loss, may range from a mainly focal problem which is common in many healthy elderly people, to a component of a complex multiorgan syndrome as cancer cachexia. Disuse, malnutrition and (neuro)degenerative processes can account for most of the aging-related sarcopenias while systemic inflammation and secretion of cancer-and immune-related molecules play an additional major role in cachexia.

SUMMARY

A multimodal approach including physical exercise and optimized nutritional support are the key measures to offset sarcopenia with some contribution by the anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer patients. Results are more promising in elderly patients and are still pending for cancer patients where a more specific approach will only rely on the identification and contrast of the key mediators of the cachectic process.

MeSH

Exercise, Muscles, Aging, Neoplasms, Aged, Cachexia, Sarcopenia

Cited by

• Impact of Glucose Profile, Fasting Insulin, and Renal Function on Sarcopenia in Elderly at Single Centered Nursing Home: A Cross-Sectional Structural Equation Model Analysis. J Multidiscip Healthc, 2025
• Sarcopenic obesity and weight loss-induced muscle mass loss. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care, 2025
• Optimizing Nutritional Care with Machine Learning: Identifying Sarcopenia Risk Through Body Composition Parameters in Cancer Patients-Insights from the NUTritional and Sarcopenia RIsk SCREENing Project (NUTRISCREEN). Nutrients, 2025
• Exploring the utility of ultrasound to assess disuse atrophy in different muscles of the lower leg. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 2024