Many people associate unexplained weight loss with cancer. Though unintentional weight loss can be a warning sign of cancer, there are other reasons for unexplained weight loss as well.
Read on to learn more about unexplained weight loss, including when it’s concerning and its other causes.
According to the American Cancer Society, unexplained weight loss is often the first noticeable symptom of cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, stomach, and lungs.
Other cancers, such as ovarian cancer, are more likely to cause weight loss when a tumor grows large enough to press on the stomach. This can make you feel full faster.
Other types of cancer can also cause symptoms that make eating difficult, such as:
- nausea
- lack of appetite
- difficulty chewing or swallowing
Cancer also increases inflammation. Inflammation is part of your body’s immune response to a tumor, which produces pro-inflammatory cytokines and alters your body’s metabolism. This disrupts the hormones that regulate your appetite. It also promotes the breakdown of fat and muscle.
Finally, a growing tumor uses a significant amount of your body’s energy, which may increase your resting energy expenditure (REE). REE is how much energy your body burns at rest.
Not all cancers cause symptoms in their early stages. And those that do often cause vague symptoms that are commonly caused by less serious conditions.
Cancers known to cause unintended weight loss early on will likely also cause other symptoms.
These include:
Again, while these can all be early cancer symptoms, they can also be caused by a range of other conditions, most of which are much more common — and less serious — than cancer.
Your weight can fluctuate for various reasons. A life changing or stressful event can cause you to lose weight unintentionally. Even having an especially busy schedule for a while can cause a temporary change in your food intake and activity level, causing you to lose a few pounds.
In fact, most cases of unexplained weight loss aren’t caused by cancer. Still, it’s a good idea to follow up with your healthcare professional about any significant weight loss that can’t be explained by changes in your diet or activity levels.
Generally, losing more than 5 percent of your body weight within 6 to 12 months warrants a visit. And if you’re an older adult with other health issues, even a smaller amount of weight loss may be a reason to see your healthcare professional.
Your provider will begin by taking your medical history, including any medications you are taking. Urine and blood tests, as well as imaging scans, can find signs of cancer or another condition that may be behind your weight loss.
Seek immediate treatment if your weight loss is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
In addition to cancer, a number of other things can cause unexplained weight loss, including:
Gastrointestinal conditions
Mental health conditions
Hormone related disease
Drug related
Chronic infections
Chronic organ dysfunction
It’s understandable to worry about cancer when you have unexplained weight loss, but there are many other possible causes. If you’re concerned about your weight loss and have other concerning symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare professional.
