What evidence shows cancer is highly likely to result in malnutrition?

• A. All cancer patients gain weight at diagnosis
• B. In most patients, cancer has no impact on weight
• C. Over half of cancer patients present with weight loss at diagnosis; unintentional weight loss is a criterion for malnutrition
• D. Cancer does not affect nutritional status

Answer: (C)

In cancer care, malnutrition commonly arises because the tumor drives a catabolic state and inflammation while symptoms or treatment reduce intake. That combination means weight loss is a frequent and early signal of malnutrition. The strongest evidence is that more than half of cancer patients already present with weight loss when cancer is diagnosed, and unintentional weight loss is a recognized criterion used to define malnutrition in many nutrition assessment frameworks. This makes weight loss at diagnosis a clear indicator that cancer is highly likely to impact nutritional status.

Other statements aren’t as accurate because many patients do not gain weight at diagnosis; cancer frequently affects weight, not the opposite, and the nutritional impact can occur even before treatment begins.