Physical Activity and Nutrition Optimization in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer and its treatment may cause muscle loss, weakness, deconditioning, nutritional deficits, and weight loss. Even for patients receiving curative treatment, body weight, body fat, and muscle mass decrease significantly after surgery due to declines in physical activity and challenges in nutritional intake. Fortunately, preoperative nutritional support and preoperative physical activity optimization (prehabilitation) are strategies to minimize muscle loss and rates of malnutrition. Furthermore, early postoperative mobilization and rehabilitation has benefits in oxygenation, physical function, quality of life, and fatigue. Studies have demonstrated the feasibility and safety for exercise for patients with PC; thus, physical activity guidelines should align with those of the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for cancer survivors, but with individualized tailoring depending on patients’ clinical status and tolerance. Nutritional implications from disease and associated treatments for pancreatic cancer are likely to endure lifelong; thus, support by a clinical dietitian is essential throughout the pancreatic cancer continuum of care.