Prehabilitation for Cancer Surgery
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this clinical study is to learn whether a prehabilitation program can improve recovery after major abdominal surgery in adults with cancer who are receiving treatment before surgery. Prehabilitation is supportive care given before surgery to help patients prepare physically, nutritionally, and emotionally.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
1. Does prehabilitation reduce the number of participants who die or have serious complications within 30 days after surgery?
2. Does prehabilitation improve physical strength and fitness, nutritional status, emotional well-being, and quality of life before surgery?
3. Does prehabilitation affect the length of the hospital stay after surgery, the time it takes to start additional cancer treatment after surgery, or the ability to complete recommended additional treatment?
Participants will take part in a prehabilitation program during their treatment period before surgery. The program includes visits with physical therapy, nutrition, and health psychology. Participants will meet with each specialty at least twice before surgery. They will also complete questionnaires and tests that measure physical function, diet and weight, emotional well-being, and quality of life. After surgery, information about recovery and additional cancer treatment will be collected from medical records for up to 120 days.
Researchers will compare the outcomes of participants who receive the prehabilitation program with outcomes from similar patients who previously received care at Fox Chase Cancer Center but did not participate in this study.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Stephanie Gzreco, MD
Principal Investigator
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults over 18 with certain cancers (like colorectal, esophageal, bladder, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian) who are planning to have major abdominal surgery after chemo or chemoradiation. Participants must be well enough for surgery and able to give consent.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Multidisciplinary Prehabilitation Program
Trial Overview
The study tests if a prehabilitation program—supportive care including physical therapy, nutrition counseling, and psychological support before surgery—can improve recovery compared to past patients who did not get this program.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants will receive a multidisciplinary prehabilitation program during the preoperative period while undergoing neoadjuvant treatment before planned high-risk abdominal oncologic surgery. The program includes supportive care provided by physical therapy, nutrition, and health psychology to prepare participants for surgery and support physical, nutritional, and emotional well-being.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Lead Sponsor
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.