Figure 1

UICC Classification of the 23 patients operated for pancreatic cancer. Distribution of tumor stage of all pancreatic cancer patients was determined according to the 5th edition of the TNM classification of the Union International Contre Cancer (UICC). Median weight loss of the cachectic patients was 13.9% of initial body weight within 6 months comparing with the patients without cachexia in which the median weight loss was 2.1% respectively. The resection rate was lower in patients with cachexia (50% vs. 92.3%) UICC II: without distant metastases; UICC III: infiltration of celiac trunk and/or mesenteric artery; UICC IV: metastases in liver and/or peritoneal cavity according to guidelines UICC 2002) in patients either with (n = 10) or without cachexia (n = 13).