ArticleBJGP open2024
A scoping review of unexpected weight loss and cancer: risk, guidelines, and recommendations for follow-up in primary care.
Article in BJGP open, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Piloting a Clinical Decision Support System for Unintended Weight Loss in Primary Care: Mixed Methods Study on Early Cancer Detection.JMIR cancer · 2026Article
- Evaluating a Clinical Decision Support Tool for Cancer Risk Assessment in Primary Care: Simulation Study of Unintended Weight Loss.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCancer diagnoses often begin with consultations with GPs, but the non-specific nature of symptoms can lead to delayed diagnosis. Unexpected weight loss (UWL) is a common non-specific symptom linked to undiagnosed cancer, yet guidelines for its diagnostic assessment in general practice lack consistency.
aimTo synthesise evidence on the association between UWL and cancer diagnosis, and to review clinical guidelines and recommendations for assessing patients with UWL. DESIGN &
settingSystematic search and analysis of studies conducted in primary care.
methodFour databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature from 2012 to 2023. Two reviewers conducted all the steps. A narrative review was conducted detailing the evidence for UWL as a risk factor for undiagnosed cancer, existing clinical guidance, and recommended diagnostic approach.
resultsWe included 25 studies involving 916 092 patients; 92% provided strong evidence of an association between UWL and undiagnosed cancer. The National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE) Cancer Guideline in the UK was frequently cited. General suggestions encompassed regular weight monitoring, family history, risk factor evaluation, additional signs and symptoms, and a comprehensive physical examination. Commonly recommended pathology tests included C-reactive protein (CRP), complete blood count, alkaline phosphatase, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Immunochemical faecal occult blood test, abdominal ultrasound, and chest X-ray were also prevalent. One large cohort study provided age, sex, and differential diagnosis-specific recommendations.
conclusionThis evidence review informs recommendations for investigating patients with UWL and will contribute to a computer decision support tool implementation in primary care, enhance UWL assessment, and potentially facilitate earlier cancer diagnosis.
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Registered trials
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