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Health Challenges in Cancer Survivorship: Personalized Dietary Strategies, Exercise and Behavioral Intervention

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025 | Viewed by 524

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Judith Buentzel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University Medical School, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
Interests: integrative oncology; malnutrition; complementary medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing number of cancer survivors worldwide reflects significant advancements in early detection, treatment, and supportive care. However, survivorship often comes with complex health challenges, including malnutrition, sarcopenia, fatigue, and an increased risk of secondary cancers and comorbidities. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach that encompasses not only medical care but also targeted interventions in diet, physical activity, and overall lifestyle. Nutrition and rehabilitation are critical components for improving physical recovery, psychological well-being, and long-term health outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that personalized dietary strategies, combined with exercise and behavioral interventions, can reduce treatment-related side effects, enhance functional capacity, and potentially lower the risk of cancer recurrence.

Therefore, this Special Issue invites researchers, clinicians, and other experts to contribute manuscripts that address the multifaceted interactions between nutrition, lifestyle, and rehabilitation in cancer survivorship. We will explore topics including, but not limited to, the assessment of nutritional status and dietary patterns in cancer survivors; interventions targeting diet, exercise, and behavioral modifications for improved survivorship outcomes; mechanistic insights into the role of nutrition in reducing cancer recurrence and improving long-term health; and interdisciplinary approaches integrating nutrition with rehabilitation therapies.

Dr. Judith Buentzel
Guest Editor

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 short 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. Nutrients 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

  • dietary changes
  • nutritional supplements
  • malnutrition
  • rehabilitation
  • exercise intervention
  • nutritional intervention
  • sarcopenia

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1149 KiB  
Article
Not All Weight Loss Is Equal: Divergent Patterns and Prognostic Roles in Head and Neck Cancer Versus High-Grade B-Cell Lymphoma
by Judith Büntzel, Gina Westhofen, Wilken Harms, Markus Maulhardt, Alexander Casimir Angleitner and Jens Büntzel
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2530; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152530 (registering DOI) - 31 Jul 2025
Abstract
Background: Malnutrition and unintended weight loss are frequent in cancer patients and linked to poorer outcomes. However, data on long-term weight trajectories, particularly comparing different cancer entities, remain limited. Methods: In this retrospective, multicenter study, we analyzed 145 patients diagnosed with either head [...] Read more.
Background: Malnutrition and unintended weight loss are frequent in cancer patients and linked to poorer outcomes. However, data on long-term weight trajectories, particularly comparing different cancer entities, remain limited. Methods: In this retrospective, multicenter study, we analyzed 145 patients diagnosed with either head and neck cancer (HNC; n = 48) or high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL; n = 97). Body weight, C-reactive protein (CrP), albumin, and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) were assessed at diagnosis and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Clinically relevant weight loss was defined as >5% from baseline. Survival analyses were performed for HGBCL patients. Results: Weight loss was common in both cohorts, affecting 32.2% at 3 months and persisting in 42.3% at 12 months. Nearly half of HNC patients had sustained >5% weight loss at one year, whereas HGBCL patients were more likely to regain weight, with significantly higher rates of weight gain at 6 and 12 months (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02). At baseline, HGBCL patients showed elevated CrP and lower albumin compared to HNC (both p < 0.001). Weight loss at 6 months was significantly associated with reduced overall survival in HGBCL (p < 0.01). Both Δweight at 6 months and mGPS emerged as useful prognostic indicators. Conclusions: This study reveals distinct patterns of weight change and systemic inflammation between HNC and HGBCL patients during the first year after diagnosis. These findings highlight the need for entity-specific nutritional monitoring and tailored supportive care strategies extending into survivorship. Prospective studies integrating body composition analyses are warranted to better guide long-term management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Challenges in Cancer Survivorship: Personalized Dietary Strategies, Exercise and Behavioral Intervention)
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14 pages, 2265 KiB  
Communication
Bioelectrical Impedance Assessment in a Patient with Breast Cancer: A Case Report on the Effect of Integrative Therapies on Cellular Homeostasis
by Graziella Marino, Giovanni Pace, Lucia Sabato, Marzia Sichetti and Marisabel Mecca
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2506; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152506 - 30 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Since breast cancer (BC) survival rates have increased to 91% at 5 years and 80% at 15 years postdiagnosis, there is a growing awareness of the importance of addressing the long-term well-being of patients. Consequently, integrative oncology, which combines standard therapies [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Since breast cancer (BC) survival rates have increased to 91% at 5 years and 80% at 15 years postdiagnosis, there is a growing awareness of the importance of addressing the long-term well-being of patients. Consequently, integrative oncology, which combines standard therapies with complementary approaches (nutrition, mind–body practices, and lifestyle modifications), has emerged as a patient-centred model aimed at improving symptom management, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life (QoL). This study aims to demonstrate how integrative therapies can benefit body composition, phase angle, and fluid and electrolyte balance through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Methods: This study considers a patient who underwent BC surgery and was enrolled in the AMICO clinic for anamnesis, as well as their oncological pathology data, assessment of QoL, and BIA. The breast surgeon specialising in integrative oncology therapies prescribed the patient curcumin and polydatin, moderate physical activity, a balanced diet, and Qigong sessions. The patient underwent monitoring through haematochemical analysis, BIA, and a QoL questionnaire, with follow-up every four months. Results: Between 4 and 12 months, fat mass (FM) and body mass index (BMI) markedly decreased, whereas fat-free mass (FFM), total body water (TBW), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) increased progressively. Moreover, the improvements in the Na/K ratio and phase angle (PhA) suggest a shift toward better electrolyte and fluid balance and enhanced cellular integrity and membrane function. Equally outstanding were her psychological benefits in terms of mood, sleep, anxiety, and melancholy. Conclusions: Patient progress in body composition, metabolic function, pain management, and psychological status measured during the 12-month follow-up demonstrates the potential benefits of an integrative approach to supportive cancer care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Challenges in Cancer Survivorship: Personalized Dietary Strategies, Exercise and Behavioral Intervention)
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