What is Constitutional Syndrome?

It is known as toxic syndrome or constitutional syndrome to the picture of loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, and weakness. This triad is characteristic in some pathologies and in a multitude of neoplastic processes.

3A syndrome

The constitutional syndrome is basically defined by the presence of three semiological data (signs and symptoms) that contain the letter A: asthenia, weight loss and anorexia (3A syndrome).

Separately or together, these manifestations accompany many diseases whose diagnosis is made by other specific symptoms and signs. In general, all three manifestations coexist (asthenia, and weight loss), but sometimes only one or two exist.

Causes

The causes of constitutional syndrome are varied, but in a first approximation they can be divided into three large groups: psychiatric, neoplastic and organic diseases not neoplastic. Generally, the etiological identification is carried out with a simple protocol that rules out neoplasia; some cases of uncertain etiology are correlated with medical illnesses with a good prognosis or with functional processes.

• The asthenia It is the most subtle manifestation of the constitutional syndrome: it refers to the lack of energy. Usually the main complaint is fatigue and weakness. The cause of asthenia depends on the duration, exercise tolerance, fluctuating course, and associated symptoms.
• It is understood by slimming loss of fat tissue greater than 5% of body weight in less than three months. In general terms, an involuntary decrease of 2% of body weight in one month, more than 5% in three months and more than 10% in six months is considered a sign of seriousness, which translates the concept of weight loss. weight loss can be due to poor appetite, digestive system disorders, dementia, etc.

weight loss, despite increased food consumption, can lead to hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus or diarrhea.

• The anorexy it is the loss of appetite. It is due to multiple processes and it is common that it progressively leads to situations of cachexia or starvation, and even, if it is not reversed, it can cause death. Cachexia has had a special relevance in cancer and is considered an unfavorable prognostic factor, since it is observed in 80% of people with advanced cancer.

Approximately 25% of involuntary weight losses can be attributed to the existence of a neoplasm, which in most cases is of gastrointestinal or hematological origin. If the cause of the weight loss is not identified, follow-up without indicating further studies appears reasonable.

Some of the causes of constitutional syndrome are:

• Neoplasms (mainly of digestive, genitourinary, breast and lung origin. Hematological tumors less frequently.)
• Systemic or autoimmune inflammatory processes (such as rheumatoid arthritis).
• Endocrine diseases (hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus or Addison's disease).
• Digestive diseases (inflammatory bowel diseases, celiac disease).
• Infectious diseases, like tuberculosis.
• Renal insufficiency.
• Psychological processes (depression, anxiety ...)
• Medications, especially in patients who take many medications.
• Social situations (social isolation and lack of economic resources)
• Sometimes, and after an initial evaluation, the etiology of CS will not be found, considering it as an unknown cause in a variable percentage of around 10-25% of cases.

Symptoms

 Any abnormal growth of a nodule, tumor or lump in any part of our body it must be brought to the attention of the GP. In the same way, a, or a bleeding during urination, with cough, any bleeding from the mouth, should make us consult our doctor. Changes in bowel habits, such as persistent constipation or persistent diarrhea should put us on alert.

Diagnosis

The study of a patient with constitutional syndrome must include a good medical history, medical history, psychological history, social habits and usual treatment. It's very important perform a good physical examination and carrying out complementary tests (general analysis, urine test, fecal occult blood) and carrying out a chest X-ray and / or an abdominal ultrasound. Despite the above, 20 to 25% of constitutional syndromes are not clearly diagnosed.

However, we can identify certain signs or symptoms that should make us suspect the existence of cancer and that should lead us to it in order to initiate the appropriate investigation.

CALCULATE YOUR PRICE

The treatment of constitutional syndrome basically depends on its cause.

• The toxic syndrome or constitutional syndrome is the picture of loss of appetite, progressive loss of weight and weakness. This triad is characteristic in some pathologies and in a multitude of neoplastic processes.
• The causes of the constitutional syndrome are varied, but in a first approximation they can be divided into three large groups: psychiatric, neoplastic and non-neoplastic organic diseases.
• The study of a patient with constitutional syndrome must include a good medical history, medical history, psychological history, social habits and usual treatment.