Effects of a planned preoperative exercise program on body composition in early gastric cancer patients with metabolic syndrome.

Abstract

206 Background: Visceral fat obesity and skeletal muscle depletion were reported to be both risk factors for complications in abdominal cancers surgery. Preoperative exercise may reduce morbidity by modifying body composition. Methods: We conducted an exploratory study attached to a prospective study (AEGES) to examine the effects of a 4-weeks exercise in stage I gastric cancer patients with metabolic syndrome. The AEGES enrolled 50 patients between 2007 and 2013, of which 18 were assigned to the exercise arm. The exercise program consisted of aerobic training 3-7 days a week, resistance training once or twice a week, and stretching. The expected energy expenditure of exercise was set at 30 kcal/kg/week. The total energy expenditure was measured using a calorie counter. After completion of the exercise, the patients received CT and endoscopy for re-staging, then underwent curative gastrectomy. Total skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (cm2) was evaluated on the average of two adjacent axial images at L3. Muscle area was expressed as lumber skeletal muscle index (cm2/m2). Total visceral fat volume was evaluated at the level of umbilicus. The changes of parameters before and after the exercise were assessed by paired Wilcoxon sign test. Results: A total of 15 patients with evaluable CT image were examined. Body weight, body mass index, and abdominal circumference were significantly decreased (-1.5 kg, -0.52 kg/m2, and -3.3 cm, respectively). The median skeletal muscle index was 48.06 cm2/m2 before and 46.85 cm2/m2 after the exercise, which was not statistically significant (p=0.41), while the median visceral fat volume was 205.2 cm2 before and 169.0 cm2 after the exercise, which was statistically significant (p=0.001). There was a weak correlation between total energy expenditure and amount of skeletal muscle index change (r=0.22 by Spearman’s correlation and p=0.427). No patient demonstrated progression of clinical cancer stage during 4 weeks. Conclusions: Preoperative exercise for 4 weeks could significantly modify body composition without progression of gastric cancer. More intensive or personalized exercise would be required to increase skeletal muscle.