Walsh & Hoyt: Cachectic Myopathy

This condition is characterized by severe, diffuse muscle wasting and loss of subcutaneous fat, with relative preservation of strength in the affected muscles. Myoedema may be present, and the muscle stretch reflexes may be depressed. In its extreme form, this disorder is progressive and severely debilitating to the point that respiration is impaired. Neither the extraocular muscles nor the muscles that serve eyelid function are generally affected. The combination of proximal weakness and loss of muscle stretch reflexes can cause diagnostic confusion with carcinomatous neuromyopathy, although patients generally appear well nourished in the latter condition.