# From mechanisms to management: a comprehensive review of sarcopenia in gastric cancer

## TL;DR

This review explores how muscle loss (sarcopenia) affects gastric cancer patients and suggests ways to manage it for better outcomes.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of sarcopenia mechanisms and management in gastric cancer.

## Key findings

- Sarcopenia is common in gastric cancer and linked to worse outcomes like higher complications and shorter survival.
- Systemic inflammation and metabolic issues are key mechanisms behind sarcopenia in gastric cancer.
- Nutritional support and exercise are proposed as effective management strategies for sarcopenia.

## Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC), a leading cause of global cancer mortality, induces systemic changes impacting patient prognosis. A growing body of evidence shows a significantly increased prevalence of sarcopenia in GC patients, closely linked to poor outcomes such as higher postoperative complications, enhanced chemotherapy toxicity, and shortened survival. However, its underlying mechanisms and optimal management remain not fully clarified. This review comprehensively analyzes the pathological mechanisms and clinical significance of GC-related sarcopenia, emphasizing systemic inflammation, metabolic/nutritional disorders, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and anti-tumor therapy impacts. Additionally, feasible management methods such as nutritional support, exercise intervention, and related drug treatment were also proposed. By synthesizing current evidence, we delineate sarcopenia’s integral role in GC and propose pragmatic strategies to ultimately improve patient outcomes.