Preoperative exercise therapy for gastrointestinal cancer patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal cancer patients are susceptible to significant postoperative morbidity. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of preoperative exercise therapy (PET) on patients undergoing surgery for GI malignancies. METHODS: In accordance with PRISMA statement, all prospective clinical trials of PET for patients diagnosed with GI cancer were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, PROSPERO, and DARE (March 8, 2017). The characteristics and outcomes of each study were extracted and reviewed. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: Nine studies (534 total patients) were included in the systematic review. All interventions involved aerobic training but varied in terms of frequency, duration, and intensity. PET was effective in reducing heart rate, as well as increasing oxygen consumption and peak power output. The postoperative course was also improved, as PET was associated with more rapid recovery to baseline functional capacity after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: PET for surgical patients with gastrointestinal malignancies may improve physical fitness and aid in postoperative recovery.

Survival and quality of life following cytoreductive surgery plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colonic origin.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal carcinomatosis of colonic origin (PCC) is a life-threatening diagnosis. Cytoreductive surgery (CS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) offers patients the prospect of long-term survival with alleviation of symptoms. METHODS: Patients underwent HIPEC for PCC and completed questionnaires preoperatively (T1) and after surgery at 3 (T2), 6 (T3), and 12 (T4) months. Questionnaires included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colon (FACT-C), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), SF-36 Medical Outcomes Study Survey (SF-36), Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and the ECOG Performance Status Rating. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were assessed before surgery. Median overall survival was 18 months, with 71.3 ± 6.3% survival at 1 year. Emotional well-being (P = .0007) improved after HIPEC. Social/family well-being (P = .065) and the colon subscale (P = .061) of the FACT worsened at T2, but recovered by T3. One-third to one-half of patients reported depressive symptoms over the course of the study. Pain scores increased above BL at T2, but decreased below BL at T3 and T4. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional well being is improved after CS + HIPEC despite complications that may affect short-term recovery. Most patients remaining in the study recover to preoperative levels of functioning between 3 and 6 months after surgery. For some, survival can be attained without major decrement in QOL at 1 year. QOL concerns must be a key component in the evaluation for patients with PCC for CS and HIPEC.