Surgical Prehabilitation in Patients with Cancer: State-of-the-Science and Recommendations for Future Research from a Panel of Subject Matter Experts

Abstract

This review by a 10-member panel of experts in surgical prehabilitation addresses processes that may improve oncologic care. Surgical prehabilitation is the process on the continuum of care that occurs between the time of cancer diagnosis and the beginning of surgical treatment. The panel focused on the current state-of-the-science and recommended future research that would help to identify the elements that enhance preoperative physical, nutritional, and psychological health in anticipation of surgery, mitigate the burden of disease, facilitate the return of patient health status to baseline values, decrease postoperative morbidity, and reduce health care costs.

Keywords: Anxiety; Cancer; Exercise; Nutrition; Outcome; Prehabilitation; Surgery.