DCD and cancer: A number of different pathways have been associated with, and contribute to, the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia including the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), proteolysis-inducing factor (PIF), lipolysis and lipid-mobilising factor (LMF), as well as abnormalities in glucose, fat and protein metabolism, and abnormalities in mitochondrial energy metabolism which contribute to tissue catabolism, all promoting cancer cachexia [8].