Chronic nausea and anorexia in advanced cancer patients: A possible role for autonomic dysfunction

Five patients with advanced cancer who complained of unexplained chronic (more than fourweeks) nausea and anorexia, underwent a gastric emptying scan and clinical and electrocardiographic tests for the detection of autonomic failure. Sixteen of 23 tests were abnormal in the patients, v 0 of 25 in five healthy adult controls (p<0.001). Mean gastric emptying time was 190±83 minutes in patients v 65±6 minutes in the control group (p<0.001). We conclude that at least in some cases, patients with advanced cancer who complain of chronic nausea and anorexia may suffer a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system manifested by delayed gastric emptying and abnormal cardiovascular autonomic tests. J Pain Sympt Manag 1987;2:19–21.