Lung Cancer Europe shared on LinkedIn:
“Exercise before lung cancer surgery may improve fitness and shorten hospital stays, according to a new Spanish-led research review.
Published in Clinical and Translational Oncology, the review examines the evidence for exercise and nutritional support throughout lung cancer care, including before surgery, during treatment and in advanced disease.
The researchers highlight several findings:
- Before surgery: Even relatively short exercise programmes, sometimes lasting just two to four weeks, may improve physical fitness and support recovery. Some studies also report shorter hospital stays and fewer postoperative complications.
- During treatment: Tailored exercise programmes may help people maintain physical function and manage treatment-related symptoms.
- In advanced lung cancer: Appropriate physical activity may help reduce fatigue and breathlessness and improve quality of life, although the evidence is more limited.
- Nutrition: Screening for malnutrition and providing appropriate nutritional support are important, particularly for people experiencing weight loss or muscle loss that may affect treatment tolerance and recovery.
The authors emphasise the importance of individualised programmes that take account of each person’s health, treatment and physical abilities.
The review brings together existing international research and highlights the potential value of integrating exercise and nutritional support into lung cancer care.
Source: Practical recommendations for exercise and nutrition in patients with lung cancer. Clinical and Translational Oncology (2026).
Excerpt from the article:
Exercise in LC: clinical evidence by stage and clinical setting
Exercise serves a supportive function throughout the LC care continuum. In cases of resectable disease, it has the potential to enhance preoperative functional capacity and facilitate postoperative recovery. For locally advanced and metastatic disease, the primary clinical objectives of exercise are to maintain physical function and reduce symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnea. In addition to these established clinical benefits, preclinical studies indicate that exercise may influence molecular pathways associated with tumor biology.”
Title: Practical recommendations for exercise and nutrition in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Ana Cardeña-Gutiérrez, Teresa García-Manrique, Laura Gutiérrez-Sainz, Paola Gonzalo-Encabo, Juan Manuel Guardia-Baena, Antonio José Montes Ruiz, Raúl Hernanz de Lucas, Ana María Soler Garrigós, José María Matilla González, Luis León-Mateos, Margarita Majem, Raquel Sebio Garcia, Raquel Pérez García.
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