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

Weight loss can occur during melanoma treatment, especially due to reduced appetite (anorexia), fatigue, taste changes, and treatment side effects that make eating harder. ^[1] Weight loss is mentioned across multiple melanoma regimens, including immunotherapies such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, and targeted therapies like BRAF/MEK inhibitors, with advice to seek dietitian support if weight is falling. ^[2] Targeted therapy guidance also flags weight change concerns and encourages nutrition counseling. ^[3] Although experiences vary, it is generally important to aim to maintain weight with high-calorie, high‑protein foods during treatment. ^[4]

Why weight loss happens

• Reduced appetite from treatment: Immunotherapy patient guides commonly list “loss of appetite” and recommend small, frequent meals and high‑calorie choices. ^[1] Similar advice appears for combination immunotherapy. ^[2]
• Treatment side effects: Fatigue and low energy can limit grocery shopping, cooking, and mealtime consistency, further reducing intake. ^[1]
• Cancer‑related inflammation: Some people develop cancer‑related weight and muscle loss (cachexia), driven by metabolic changes and inflammation, which lowers physical function and appetite. [PM13]

In practice, multiple factors combine lower intake, side effects, and metabolic changes to cause weight and muscle loss. [PM13] Keeping nutrition front‑and‑center helps reduce these risks. ^[4]

Why management matters

Maintaining nutrition helps energy, treatment tolerance, and recovery; nutrition support during cancer care aims to minimize weight changes and preserve strength. ^[4] Attention to nutrition can make treatment feel easier and support healing. ^[5]

Immediate steps you can take

• Eat small, frequent meals or snacks throughout the day when appetite is low. ^{[1] [2]}
• Choose higher‑calorie, higher‑protein foods (for example, full‑fat dairy, eggs, nut butters, avocados, beans, fish, chicken, tofu). ^[4]
• Limit fluids during meals if they make you feel full quickly, and drink between meals instead. ^{[1] [2]}
• If weight is dropping or intake is low, ask your care team for a dietitian referral; tailored medical nutrition therapy is an essential part of cancer care. ^{[1] [6]}

These practical changes are safe first steps and are commonly recommended across melanoma treatment guides. ^{[1] [2] [4]}

High‑calorie, high‑protein ideas

• Enrich meals: add olive oil or butter to cooked dishes to boost calories without increasing volume. ^[7]
• Use full‑fat dairy: milk, yogurt, cheese, and sour cream to raise protein and calories. ^[7]
• Snack smart: nuts, seeds, trail mix, hummus with pita, cheese and crackers, or nut butter on toast. ^[7]
• Drink nourishment: milkshakes, smoothies with yogurt or protein powder, or oral nutrition drinks if solids are hard to manage. ^[7]

These strategies help you get more calories and protein in small portions, which is helpful when appetite is low. ^[7]

Managing common barriers

• Taste changes: Try cold foods, marinades, tart flavors (like citrus) if meats taste off; choose alternative proteins (eggs, dairy, beans). ^[7]
• Early fullness: Smaller, frequent portions; calorie‑dense add‑ins; fluids between meals. ^{[1] [2]}
• Nausea: Bland foods, ginger tea, small sips; speak with your team about anti‑nausea medicines and timing meals around symptom relief. ^[7]
• Fatigue: Prepare easy, no‑cook options, batch‑cook on good days, and accept help with shopping and meal prep. ^[7]

Personalizing these tactics to your symptoms often improves intake and reduces weight loss. ^[7]

When to seek help urgently

• Rapid or unexplained weight loss, especially if it continues despite trying the steps above, deserves prompt medical review. ^[8]
• Signs of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness) or inability to keep food and fluids down should be reported quickly. ^[7]
• New or worsening swallowing problems, severe diarrhea, or mouth sores that prevent eating need evaluation and treatment. ^[7]

Early input from your oncology team and a dietitian can prevent complications and keep you stronger during treatment. ^[6]

Role of structured nutrition care

The main goal during cancer treatment is to maintain a healthy weight and energy using high‑calorie, high‑protein foods tailored to your preferences and symptoms. ^[4] Medical nutrition therapy individual counseling and a personalized plan supports better nutrition status and quality of life during and after treatment. ^[6]

Bottom line

Weight loss is a relatively common challenge across melanoma therapies, often linked to appetite loss and treatment side effects, and it can be managed with small, frequent meals, calorie‑dense and protein‑rich foods, and early dietitian involvement. ^{[1] [2]} Staying proactive with nutrition can help you feel better and support treatment tolerance. ^[4]