Long-Term Cancer Survivors: Rehabilitation and Quality of Life

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1647

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
ADOLOR Research Group, Department of Medical-Surgical Therapy, Medicine Faculty and Health Sciences, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: cognition; episodic memory; exercise; memory; physical activity; rehabilitation; non-pharmacological therapies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
ADOLOR Research Group, Department of Medical-Surgical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Extremadura University, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: cognition; episodic memory; exercise; memory; physical activity; rehabilitation; non-pharmacological therapies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ADOLOR Research Group, Department of Medical-Surgical Therapy, Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: cognition; episodic memory; exercise; memory; physical activity; rehabilitation; non-pharmacological therapies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is a worldwide public health problem due to the morbidity and mortality associated with it. This disease causes alterations in the well-being of patients, affecting not only the physical but also the psychological and social well-being of patients and their caregivers.

Knowledge about the health of long-term survivors is still limited. Cancer survivors have symptoms and conditions that have a negative impact on their well-being. This is why the care of cancer survivors requires a high level of specialisation and knowledge and a multidisciplinary approach.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the next Special Issue of the journal Cancers. Researchers are encouraged to contribute original research articles (priority will be given to experimental studies) as well as review articles that further the understanding of the relationship between rehabilitation and quality of life for cancer survivors.

This Special Issue aims to continue research efforts to reduce side effects, improve quality of life and reduce the impact cancer has on patients' lives.

In this Special Issue, research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The effects of exercise on cancer survivors.
  • The effects of physical and cognitive rehabilitation on cancer.
  • New non-pharmacological therapies in the management of symptoms of cancer.
  • Multidisciplinary approaches in the long-term management of cancer survivors.
  • Quality of life in cancer patients and their carers.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla
Dr. Blanca Gonzalez-Sanchez
Dr. María Jiménez-Palomares
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • long term
  • cancer survivors
  • quality of life
  • rehabilitation
  • physical activity
  • cognition
  • non-pharmacological therapies

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 997 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Impact of Exercise on Quality of Life in Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
by Yang-Yi Chang, Hung-Chun Hsiao and Ting-Wei Wang
Cancers 2025, 17(14), 2329; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17142329 - 14 Jul 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to determine the most effective therapeutic exercise modality for improving quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced-stage cancer. Specifically, the study compared the effects of aerobic training, strength training, and combined aerobic and strength [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to determine the most effective therapeutic exercise modality for improving quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced-stage cancer. Specifically, the study compared the effects of aerobic training, strength training, and combined aerobic and strength training on QoL outcomes. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Reviews, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 24 February 2023. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adult patients with advanced-stage cancers (e.g., pancreatic, colorectal, lung, breast, prostate, gastrointestinal, gynecological, hematological, head and neck, melanoma, or cancers with bone metastases). The primary outcome was post-intervention QoL, while the secondary outcome assessed was the dropout rate across exercise modalities. Results Aerobic training demonstrated the greatest improvement in QoL with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.30 (95% CI: 0.00 to 0.61), followed by strength training (SMD = 0.13; 95% CI: −0.41 to 0.66) and combined training (SMD = 0.07; 95% CI: −0.11 to 0.24). However, none of the interventions showed statistically significant superiority. Dropout rates were comparable across all exercise modalities and control groups, suggesting strong adherence and feasibility of these interventions in advanced cancer populations. Conclusions While all exercise modalities were associated with improved QoL in patients with advanced-stage cancer, no single intervention emerged as significantly superior. Aerobic exercise may offer a slight advantage, although this effect was not statistically significant. These results highlight the importance of individualized exercise prescriptions based on patient preference, functional status, and treatment context. Further research is warranted to identify patient subgroups that may benefit most from specific exercise interventions and to explore QoL subdomains such as fatigue, emotional well-being, and physical functioning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Long-Term Cancer Survivors: Rehabilitation and Quality of Life)
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12 pages, 501 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Lifestyle on the Quality of Life of Vulvar Cancer Survivors
by Marleen S. Boonstra, Anke Smits, Viktor Cassar, Ruud L. M. Bekkers, Yvonne Anderson, Nithya Ratnavelu and Tineke F. M. Vergeldt
Cancers 2025, 17(6), 1024; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17061024 - 18 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Introduction: Vulvar cancer affects approximately 47,000 women annually worldwide. With most studies focusing on oncological outcomes, quality of life is often overlooked. There is a lack of knowledge on the influence of modifiable factors such as lifestyle on the quality of life [...] Read more.
Introduction: Vulvar cancer affects approximately 47,000 women annually worldwide. With most studies focusing on oncological outcomes, quality of life is often overlooked. There is a lack of knowledge on the influence of modifiable factors such as lifestyle on the quality of life of vulvar cancer survivors. This study evaluated the association between lifestyle factors and the quality of life of vulvar cancer survivors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study of women who received surgical treatment for vulvar cancer ≥FIGO stage 1B at the Northern Gynecological Oncology Centre, UK, between 2013 and 2022. Baseline and clinical characteristics were collected from patient records. Godin Leisure-Time Exercise questionnaires were used to assess physical activity. BMI was assessed using self-reported height and weight. Quality of life was measured using the validated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the vulvar cancer-specific module (VU-34). An analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney-U and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: Of the 299 women, 139 were eligible for participation, of whom 58 participated (41.7%). Twenty participants had a sedentary (40.8%), eight a moderately active (16.3%), and seventeen an active (34.7%) lifestyle. Active participants reported higher overall quality of life and higher functioning in all domains but not for vulvar-related symptoms or sexual functioning. Forty-nine participants disclosed their BMI, which was not associated with quality of life outcomes. Conclusions: A higher level of physical activity was associated with higher quality of life. No association was found between BMI and quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Long-Term Cancer Survivors: Rehabilitation and Quality of Life)
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19 pages, 636 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effects of Massage Therapy in Breast Cancer Survivors with Mastectomy: Systematic Review
by Juan Rodríguez Mansilla, Ana Sánchez Díaz, Blanca González Sánchez, María del Valle Ramírez-Durán, Elisa María Garrido Ardila, María del Carmen Cilleros Sánchez and María Jiménez Palomares
Cancers 2025, 17(12), 2023; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17122023 - 17 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Background: Mastectomy, a common treatment for breast cancer, often leads to complications such as pain, fibrosis, restricted mobility, lymphedema, reduced strength in the affected arm, and emotional distress. Non-pharmacological therapies, including massage therapy, offer a holistic approach to managing these symptoms. The aim [...] Read more.
Background: Mastectomy, a common treatment for breast cancer, often leads to complications such as pain, fibrosis, restricted mobility, lymphedema, reduced strength in the affected arm, and emotional distress. Non-pharmacological therapies, including massage therapy, offer a holistic approach to managing these symptoms. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of massage therapy on the symptomatology in women post-mastectomy for breast cancer. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Databases including PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, Dialnet, Science Direct, and Scopus were searched for relevant studies published in English or Spanish over the past 16 years. The search was conducted in March 2025. Inclusion criteria encompassed controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, retrospective analyses, and secondary trial analyses involving women aged 45–64 who received massage therapy as a complementary treatment. Results: Twenty-six studies involving 1522 participants were included. Interventions assessed were manual lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, foot massage, classical massage, and the Cyriax technique. The key findings demonstrated significant benefits, including improved range of motion, reduced arm circumference and lymphedema volume, enhanced quality of life, and increased relaxation. Conclusions: According to the results of this systematic review, massage therapy interventions can have a positive impact on the symptomatology in women post-mastectomy for breast cancer and may represent a suitable complementary approach to post-mastectomy breast cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Long-Term Cancer Survivors: Rehabilitation and Quality of Life)
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