ESMO 2018: Benefit From Exercise Reported in Advanced Lung Cancer
Posted: Monday, October 22, 2018
The benefits of exercise may now extend to those with advanced or metastatic lung cancer, according to the results of a study presented by Joachim Wiskemann, PhD, of the National Center for Tumor Diseases and Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany, at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress in Munich (Abstract 1480P_PR). In a subgroup analysis of patients with inoperable lung cancer undergoing palliative treatment, those with good training adherence achieved benefits with respect to general fatigue and functional well-being.
“In the past, we have assumed that only the healthiest and fittest patients with cancer could exercise,” said Dr. Wiskemann in an ESMO press release. “But our study has shown this is not true and that those with advanced disease can benefit too.”
Within 3 months after primary diagnosis, 227 patients with advanced or metastatic lung cancer were randomly assigned to an experimental group (exercise) and a control group. Those in the exercise group received a 24-week, partly supervised combined resistance and aerobic training 3 times/week as well as weekly care management phone calls. Those in the control group received case management phone calls alone.
Although no major effects were observed in terms of the primary endpoints—physical well-being and general fatigue at week 12—a significant difference was observed for knee extensor muscle strength favoring exercise (P = .04). In addition, subgroup analyses showed that patients who exercise with good training adherence (ie, regularly participated in supervised exercise sessions with adherence rates of more than 70%) reaped significant benefits with regard to general fatigue (P = .01) and functional well-being (P = .03).
“Patients who exercise also felt more independent and needed less help with daily activities,” noted Dr. Wiskemann. “We must now be flexible in the way we offer exercise, so patients can do it wherever they are most comfortable.”
