While mitochondria are super cells and responsible for a lot of activity, there is no single route in rooting out cancer in the body. Even without the cancer aspect, little is known or used clinically in studying the importance of managing outputs of cellular membrane transfer to is ion channels. Cancer increases production of calcium always and part is due to cellular destruction. Improper management of the calcium is a root cause to muscles not gliding and eventual weakness, cramping and atrophy. Potassium consumption during the destruction is quickly treated. Calcium is a suspected problem only if PTH is elevated and only from the parathyroid function perspective which is totally independent of metabolism.

In addition other hormones are not often looked at during cachexia. ACTH and cortisol have to be monitored regularly and imbalances between sodium and potassium is important as sodium-potassium pump issues are not only fatal but cause you to feel horrible, neuromuscularly. All the above issues can eventually progress to ATP kicking in to high gear and metabolism spiraling out of control.

For the chemical aspects of this, Martin Paul from The University of Washigton focuses on the oxidative stress reaction from things like radiation fibrosis and PTSD. Most of us get some form of the latter from treatment, especially rads.