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Cancers
Special Issues
Rehabilitation Opportunities in Cancer Survivorship
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Rehabilitation Opportunities in Cancer Survivorship

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: 8 May 2026 | Viewed by 2935

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marie Carmen Valenza

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physiotherapy Department, University of Granada, Avenida de la Ilustración, 60, 18016 Granada, Spain
Interests: respiratory diseases; cancer; rehabilitation; physical therapy; exercise; physical activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alejandro Heredia-Ciuro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physiotherapy Department, University of Granada, Avenida de la Ilustración, 60, 18016 Granada, Spain
Interests: respiratory diseases; cancer; rehabilitation; physical therapy; exercise; physical activity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The management of cancer patients is a growing concern due to the increase in incidence worldwide. Cancer patient assessment has benefited from advances in research and data analytics, allowing for a more accurate assessment of patient impairment and health status.

Rehabilitation approaches play an important role in enhancing the health status and quality of life of these patients. Cancer survivors often face several physical, emotional and psychosocial challenges resulting from their diagnosis and treatment. In this sense, rehabilitation programs offer tailored interventions to approach these impairments, aiming to restore function, alleviate symptoms and increase the quality of life.

However, the heterogeneity of cancer patient profiles represents a current healthcare challenge that is leading thousands of clinicians to demand further research into the impairment related to different cancer etiologies, stages and treatments.

This Special Issue aims to outline the latest research innovations in the management of cancer patients, collating research that highlights these innovations and their impact on cancer patients' outcomes. From early detection to effective rehabilitation, emerging rehabilitation approaches are transforming the way healthcare professionals approach cancer disease. This compilation of knowledge promises to enrich clinical practice and improve the management of cancer patients worldwide.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Current Oncology.

Dr. Marie Carmen Valenza
Dr. Alejandro Heredia-Ciuro
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

  • cancer
  • rehabilitation
  • sequelae
  • disability
  • impairment

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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17 pages, 1285 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Outcomes of a Digital Remote Care Solution for Colorectal Cancer Patients
by Marta Chaparro-Mirete, Cristina González Callejas, María de los Ángeles García-Martínez, Jorge Ramos-Sanfiel, Maria Sol Zurita-Saavedra, Paola De Castro-Monedero, Javier Gómez-Sánchez, Ángela Argote-Camacho, Alfredo Ubiña-Martínez, Cristina González-Puga, Carlos Garde-Lecumberri, Teresa Nestares and Benito Mirón-Pozo
Cancers 2025, 17(16), 2622; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17162622 - 11 Aug 2025
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in the Western world in cancer incidence and second as the cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advances in perioperative care, minimizing postoperative morbidity is crucial in clinical practice. Digitalization of the healthcare process plays a key [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in the Western world in cancer incidence and second as the cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advances in perioperative care, minimizing postoperative morbidity is crucial in clinical practice. Digitalization of the healthcare process plays a key role in genuinely and effectively engaging patients. Our aim was to evaluate a digital solution for remote monitoring of patients with CRC, from surgery indication to postoperative discharge. Methods: We developed a digital solution using Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to identify patient care flow and Lean Sigma for optimization and efficiency. We incorporated the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)/RICA pentamodal recommendations to create a program with an individualized schedule for each patient, who received tailored educational, medical, and practical information at every stage of the process. Results: A total of 193 patients used the digital solution, with >75% adhering to ERAS recommendations. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days, with low adherence leading to 3.4 (p = 0.628) or 3.27 (p = 0.642) extra days in the hospital compared to patients with intermediate and high adherence, respectively. The mean comprehensive complication index (CCI) was 9.1/100, which was higher in patients with low adherence (15) versus intermediate (8.17; p = 0.027) and high (7.42; p = 0.011) adherence. An increase in self-perception of quality of life by 9.2% was identified at the end of the process compared to the outcome at the beginning (p = 0.09), and 80% rated their overall satisfaction with the care process as 8 or higher out of 10. Conclusions: The digital solution facilitates the monitoring of CRC care and implementation and adherence to ERAS recommendations, improving patient engagement and satisfaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation Opportunities in Cancer Survivorship)
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Review

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21 pages, 642 KiB  
Review
Prehabilitation Prior to Chemotherapy in Humans: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions
by Karolina Pietrakiewicz, Rafał Stec and Jacek Sobocki
Cancers 2025, 17(16), 2670; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17162670 - 15 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of oncological treatment often accompanied by numerous adverse effects. A patient’s baseline status significantly influences the course of therapy, its efficacy, quality of life, and overall survival. This review aims to analyze the published peer-reviewed studies in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of oncological treatment often accompanied by numerous adverse effects. A patient’s baseline status significantly influences the course of therapy, its efficacy, quality of life, and overall survival. This review aims to analyze the published peer-reviewed studies in this area and to assess whether they permit the formulation of preliminary recommendations for future prehabilitation protocols. Methods: An integrative review was conducted due to the limited number of relevant studies. Four databases—MEDLINE/PubMed (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online/National Library of Medicine), Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science—were systematically searched for English-language articles published between 2010 and 13 January 2025, using the terms “prehabilitation,” “chemotherapy,” “drug therapy,” and “neoadjuvant.” A total of 162 records were retrieved. After duplicate removal, titles and abstracts were screened. The remaining papers were subjected to detailed analysis, resulting in ten studies with diverse methodologies being included. Results: We reviewed ten (n = 10) studies, most of which were reviews focused on breast cancer, indicating variation in the state of knowledge across different cancer types. A protein intake of 1.4 g/kg body mass helps preserve fat-free mass, with whey being more effective than casein. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation at a dose of 2.2 g/kg may prevent chemotherapy-related neurotoxicity and support appetite and weight maintenance. Physical activity, especially when it includes strength training, improves VO2max, preserves fat-free mass, and may reduce stress and anxiety. We identified one randomized controlled trial in which a single exercise session before the first dose of doxorubicin resulted in a smaller reduction in cardiac function. Continuous psychological support should be available. A combined behavioural and pharmacological approach appears to be the most effective strategy for smoking cessation. Conclusions: No official guidelines exist for prehabilitation before chemotherapy, and the availability of studies on this topic is very limited. The pre-treatment period represents a critical window for interventions. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of particularly single-component interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation Opportunities in Cancer Survivorship)
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22 pages, 709 KiB  
Review
Addressing Akrasia in Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Implications for Long-Term Follow-Up and Preventive Health Interventions
by Charlotte Demoor-Goldschmidt, Kristopher Lamore, Zsuzsanna Jakab, Maëlle de Ville de Goyet, Sabine Heinrich, Laura Bathilde, Claire Berger, Laura Beek, Marion Beauchesne, Erika Borszekine Cserhati, Bénédicte Brichard, Louis S. Constine, Jeroen te Dorsthorst, Michele Favreau, Desiree Grabow, Louise Hinckel, Anita Keresztes, Luc Ollivier, Baptiste Sauterey, Roderick Skinner, Eric Thebault, Isabelle Thierry-Chef, Sarolta Trinh, Lorna Zadravec Zaletel, Jelena Roganovic, Marie-Celine Chades-Esnault and Aurore Armandadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Cancers 2025, 17(8), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17081310 - 13 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Background: Childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors (CAYACS) face significant long-term health risks, yet adherence to long-term follow-up (LTFU) care remains inconsistent. This study explores the concept of akrasia (i.e., acting against one’s better judgment by engaging in behaviors known to be [...] Read more.
Background: Childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors (CAYACS) face significant long-term health risks, yet adherence to long-term follow-up (LTFU) care remains inconsistent. This study explores the concept of akrasia (i.e., acting against one’s better judgment by engaging in behaviors known to be harmful or counterproductive) to understand the psychological, cognitive, and systemic barriers influencing survivor engagement in LTFU. Method: Using an ethical reflection approach based on a literature review, we discussed survivor experiences, behavioral science insights, and ethical principles to identify solutions that balance patient autonomy with supportive interventions. A narrative approach was used to summarize the key points discussed during the ethics reflection group meetings. Results: Our findings highlight key barriers such as trauma, avoidance behaviors, and cognitive constraints that contribute to non-adherence. Strategies such as shared decision-making, digital health tools, and nudge-based interventions are proposed to enhance survivor engagement. Ethical considerations emphasize the need for personalized and flexible care approaches that respect survivor agency while mitigating obstacles to adherence. Conclusions: Addressing akrasia through ethical and behavioral frameworks could improve LTFU adherence, ultimately enhancing survivorship care and long-term health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation Opportunities in Cancer Survivorship)
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