Exercise as medicine in the management of pancreatic cancer: a case study (#305)
Given the poor prognosis for patients diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer, therapies that enhance the ability to tolerate adjuvant
treatments, reduce the loss of physical functioning and optimize quality of
life are critically important. Exercise may provide considerable therapeutic
benefit; however, no previous research has investigated the potential impact of
exercise on outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. Aim. To determine the safety and efficacy of a 6-month supervised
exercise program for a pancreatic cancer patient undergoing adjuvant treatment.
Methods. A case study was performed
on a 49 year old male diagnosed with stage IIb pancreatic cancer. The patient
had surgery (Whipple resection) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (Gemcitabine
and Fluorouracil) and radiotherapy (45Gy). The patient initiated a supervised
exercise program involving twice weekly resistance and aerobic exercise
sessions during adjuvant therapy. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and
following 3 and 6 months of exercise. Results.
The exercise program was well tolerated with 73% attendance throughout the 6
months. No adverse events occurred during the exercise
sessions. No treatment toxicities prevented the patient
from complying with adjuvant treatment plans. Considerable improvements were
observed at both 3- and 6-month assessment points for all measures of physical
capacity and functional ability (400m walk, leg press 1RM, repeated
chair rise, stair climb, 6m usual pace, fast pace and backwards walk, sensory
organisation test for balance: 3-42%), lean mass (DXA: 2.9-8.2%),
physical activity levels (40-120 minutes), general health and disease specific
quality of life (SF-36 and FACT-Hep: 15-150%), fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue: 350-488%),
sleep quality (PSQI: 20%) and psychological distress (BSI-18: 22-100%). Conclusions. In this first reported
case study, exercise led to clinically meaningful improvements in a variety of
patient outcomes during adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer. This initial
evidence has important clinical implications, indicating that exercise may be
an effective adjunct therapy for the management of pancreatic cancer.