Two studies coordinated by the Clínic-IDIBAPS analysed the impact of multimodal prehabilitation prior to surgery in advanced ovarian cancer patients.
The work was coordinated by professionals from the Clínic’s Anaesthesia, Resuscitation and Pain Treatment Service, the Gynaecological Oncology Unit and the Rehabilitation Service.
What is ovarian cancer?
Ovarian cancer is one of the gynaecological cancers with the highest mortality rates among women, mainly because many cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, when the disease has already spread. Its initial symptoms are non-specific, such as abdominal bloating or discomfort, and this makes early detection difficult. The usual treatment consists of a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, with the aim of removing as much of the tumour as possible and improving patient prognosis.
Benefits of prehabilitation before surgery
Studies led by the Clínic-IDIBAPS have shown that multimodal prehabilitation has a positive impact on patients’ preparation for surgery. The programme consisted of supervised physical exercise sessions adapted to each profile, dietary adaptation, and psychological cognitive-behavioural therapy.
The women who took part in these programmes experienced a notable improvement in their physical endurance and muscular strength, as well as a significant reduction in their anxiety levels before surgery. This functional and emotional improvement resulted in a faster and less complicated postoperative recovery.
Dr Berta Díaz Feijoo, head of the Gynaecology Service and researcher in the Gynaecology, Human Reproduction and Women’s Health group where she leads the line of research on targeted surgical treatment and improved quality of life in people with gynaecological cancers, stresses that these programmes “not only prepare the body for surgery, but also empower patients to face the process with more confidence and autonomy”. “Prehabilitation adapts to the need of each patient, taking into account factors such as age, nutritional status and emotional situation, and represents a step forward in the comprehensive care of women with ovarian cancer," she says.
Why is prehabilitation important?
Cytoreductive surgery, which is essential in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, usually lasts between four and six hours and can involve the removal of tumour tissue from various organs. According to preliminary data from the study, prehabilitation helps to reduce postoperative complications such as infection and thrombosis. Dr Aureli Torné, head of the Gynaecological Oncology Unit, stresses that, “60% of the patients are over 60 years old. Improving their physical capacity before surgery is key to speeding up recovery".
The incorporation of prehabilitation into the care circuit at the Clínic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Center reflects the centre’s commitment to research and innovation aimed at improving the quality of life of patients.
8 May, World Ovarian Cancer Day
World Ovarian Cancer Day is marked every year on 8 May with the main objective of raising awareness in society about this disease, its symptoms and the importance of early diagnosis. This day aims to draw attention to a pathology that is often detected at advanced stages due to the lack of specific symptoms, a fact that hinders treatment and reduces the chances of survival.
Study reference:
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Sebio-Garcia R, Celada-Castro C, Arguis MJ, Sisó M, Torné A, Tena B, Díaz-Feijoo B, Martinez-Palli G. Multimodal prehabilitation improves functional capacity in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2024 Oct 7:ijgc-2024-005686. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2024-005686. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39375165.
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Diaz-Feijoo B, Agusti-Garcia N, Sebio R, López-Hernández A, Sisó M, Glickman A, Carreras-Dieguez N, Fuste P, Marina T, Martínez-Egea J, Aguilera L, Perdomo J, Pelaez A, López-Baamonde M, Navarro-Ripoll R, Gimeno E, Campero B, Torné A, Martinez-Palli G, Arguis MJ. Feasibility of a Multimodal Prehabilitation Programme in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery for Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Pilot Study. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Mar 23;14(7):1635. doi: 10.3390/cancers14071635. PMID: 35406407; PMCID: PMC8997099.
