It also develops in several common diseases , including cancer , AIDS , congestive heart failure , Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , renal failure . Muscle atrophy results from a co-morbidity of several common diseases , including cancer , AIDS , congestive heart failure , COPD ( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ) , renal failure , and severe burns ; patients who have `` cachexia '' in these disease settings have a poor prognosis .