Is appetite loss a common side effect of Melanoma treatment? How can it be managed?

Loss of appetite is fairly common during cancer treatment, including some therapies used for melanoma, and it can make it harder to keep up your energy and nutrition. ^[1] Some chemotherapy regimens for melanoma can lead to fatigue and decreased appetite, which may affect daily activities. ^[2]

Why appetite loss happens

• Cancer itself and treatment-related inflammation can trigger symptoms like anorexia (reduced desire to eat), fatigue, and weight loss. [PM13] Certain cytokines linked to the tumor environment are also associated with cancer-related anorexia and cachexia. [PM14]
• Among melanoma therapies, older or selected chemotherapy options are known to reduce appetite in some people, even though chemotherapy is now used less often than before. ^[2]

When to take action

It’s helpful to act early if you notice you’re eating less, losing weight without trying, or feeling full quickly, because maintaining calorie, protein, and fluid intake supports recovery and strength. ^[1] In advanced disease, strict eating targets may not change the overall course, so comfort-focused nutrition can be reasonable based on goals of care. ^[3]

Practical nutrition strategies

• Eat small, frequent meals rather than three large ones to make intake easier when appetite is low. ^{[4] [5]}
• Use a schedule (for example, a snack every 2 hours) instead of waiting for hunger cues. ^{[4] [5]}
• Eat more during the times of day you feel best many people find mornings easiest. ^[6]
• Limit large amounts of fluids during meals so drinks don’t fill you up before food. ^[6]
• Create a pleasant mealtime setting with comfortable music or company to make food more appealing. ^[6]
• If smells bother you, choose cold or room‑temperature foods like sandwiches, pasta salad, tuna/chicken/egg/ham salads. ^[7]
• Try new foods preferences can change during treatment, and items you didn’t like before may work better now. ^[7]
• Gentle, regular physical activity can help stimulate appetite, if your care team says it’s safe. ^[7]

Examples of high‑value snacks and meals

• Protein smoothies or milkshakes to pack calories and protein in small volumes. ^[1]
• Nut butter on toast or crackers, yogurt with granola, cheese and fruit plates, or hummus with pita to provide energy-dense bites. ^[1]
• Ready-to-drink oral nutrition supplements if eating is difficult or you’re losing weight. ^[1] [PM20]

Symptom-focused medical approaches

• If appetite loss stems from treatment-related gut inflammation (for example, with immune checkpoint inhibitors), targeted management of enteritis including options like budesonide formulations can reduce nausea, pain, and poor intake; this should be guided by your oncology team. [PM16]
• In cases of cancer cachexia (a syndrome involving weight and muscle loss with reduced appetite), multimodal care combining nutrition, exercise, symptom control, and selected medications may help, although benefits vary by person. [PM19]
• Appetite stimulants (such as ghrelin mimetics like anamorelin) have shown improvements in appetite and lean body mass in trials, but effects on strength are mixed and availability differs by country; decisions are individualized. [PM21]
• Comprehensive approaches that pair dietary support with medications and antioxidants have shown signals of benefit in some studies, though these are typically reserved for selected cases and require supervision. [PM17]

Working with your care team

• Ask for a referral to an oncology dietitian for a tailored plan, including calorie/protein goals and strategies to fit your taste and energy levels. ^[1]
• If you never feel hungry, using alarms to “prompt” snacks and drinks can help maintain intake without relying on appetite. ^[5]
• Track weight weekly and flag a drop of more than 2–3% in a month, increasing nutrition support early to prevent further loss. ^[1]
• Discuss persistent nausea, taste changes, mouth pain, or early fullness treating these can quickly improve intake. ^[1]

Key takeaways

• Appetite loss can occur with melanoma treatment, especially some chemotherapy, and with cancer-related inflammation. ^[2] [PM13]
• Small, scheduled meals; energy‑dense foods; limiting fluids during meals; and gentle exercise are practical first steps. ^{[6] [4] [7] [5]}
• When symptoms are driven by treatment side effects (like enteritis) or cachexia, targeted medical care and multidisciplinary support are appropriate. [PM16] [PM19] [PM21]

Frequently asked questions

• Is this normal during treatment? Appetite changes are common across cancer care, and many people experience them at some point. ^[1]
• Will improving intake change outcomes? Nutrition support often helps energy, treatment tolerance, and quality of life; in advanced stages, comfort-focused eating may be more appropriate based on personal goals. ^[3]
• Are supplements useful? Oral nutrition supplements can help you meet calorie and protein needs when appetite is low or meals are hard to finish. [PM20]

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