Which statement about cancer-related malnutrition is a criterion for diagnosis?

• A. Unintentional weight loss
• B. High BMI
• C. Normal appetite
• D. No weight change

Answer: (A)

Unintentional weight loss signals a sustained energy deficit caused by the cancer and its treatments, which is why it is used as a criterion for diagnosing cancer-related malnutrition. In cancer, malnutrition often involves loss of lean tissue, not just fat, so weight loss reflects actual decline in nutritional status even if body mass index isn’t low. BMI can be misleading in these patients because someone may have a normal or high BMI yet still be losing muscle and nutrient stores (sarcopenia and cachexia). Appetite level by itself isn’t reliable, since some patients retain appetite yet still lose weight due to metabolic and inflammatory changes from cancer. No weight change would imply adequate nutrition rather than malnutrition.