Optimisation of the patient having oncological surgical through prehabilitation: a narrative review.

INTRODUCTION

Prehabilitation aims to improve physiological reserve and psychological resilience, enabling patients to better tolerate the physiological stress of major surgery, thereby reducing the risk of complications and improving surgical outcomes. In this review, we provide an update of the development of prehabilitation in patients having cancer surgery.

METHODS

We searched databases of peer-reviewed research to identify appropriate papers. Keywords comprised 'prehabilitation', 'cancer surgery' and associated synonyms (prehab; pre-operative rehabilitation; cancer). The results were combined with articles identified by reviewing the references of key papers and the use of the grey literature to develop our discussion.

RESULTS

We detail the different elements of prehabilitation (exercise, nutrition, psychological support) relevant to patients with cancer undergoing surgery, focusing on the recent evidence base and ongoing challenges. Within this, we consider the role of behaviour change in enabling patients to undertake prehabilitation interventions and reflect on the different models of prehabilitation that have been utilised. Facilitators and barriers to implementation of prehabilitation are explored. Key findings include positioning prehabilitation as an integral part of the oncological surgical pathway which includes, but is discrete from, medical optimisation.

DISCUSSION

Prehabilitation has the potential to improve surgical outcomes for patients undergoing cancer surgery. Further evidence is needed to understand how and what we provide to patients as optimal exercise, nutrition and psychological interventions as part of their surgical care, and how we improve long-term lifestyle using behaviour change methodology. Digital technology offers the opportunity for scaling and greater personalisation of prehabilitation but needs to be deliberately fashioned to ensure equitable access.

© 2025 Association of Anaesthetists.