Post-Operative Care of the Cancer Patient - Emphasis on Functional Recovery, Rapid Rescue, and Survivorship

Sep 24, 2026

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A cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments transform patients and families, while rapidly evolving cancer therapies increasingly enable cure. Progress reflects novel treatments, surgery, and modern imaging, alongside improved understanding of treatment and surgical trauma, complication rescue, perioperative care, and interventions such as pre-habilitation and enhanced recovery. As more people live with and beyond cancer, survivorship and post-treatment quality of life become central. The lasting impact of therapy can be invisible, requiring support that extends beyond short-term clinical encounters.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

1. Introduction

Review Post-Operative Care of the Cancer Patient: Emphasis on Functional Recovery, Rapid Rescue, and Survivorship Victoria Morrison-Jones 1 and Malcolm West 2,3,4, * Citation: Morrison-Jones, V.; West, M. Post-Operative Care of the Cancer Patient: Emphasis on Functional Recovery, Rapid Rescue, and Survivorship. Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30, 8575–8585. [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)curroncol30090622 Received: 30 June 2023 Revised: 16 August 2023 Accepted: 13 September 2023 Published: 19 September 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 Hepato-Biliary Surgery Unit, University Hospitals Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; [victoria.morrison-jones@uhs.nhs.uk](victoria.morrison-jones@uhs.nhs.uk) 2 Cancer Sciences Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK 3 Complex Cancer and Exenterative Service, University Hospitals Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK 4 NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Perioperative and Critical Care Theme, University Hospitals Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK * [Correspondence: m.west@soton.ac.uk](Correspondence: m.west@soton.ac.uk) Abstract: A cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatments are life-changing events, impacting the patient and their family. Treatment options available for cancer care are developing at pace, with more patients now able to achieve a cancer cure. This is achieved through the development of novel cancer treatments, surgery, and modern imaging, but also as a result of better understanding treatment/surgical trauma, rescue after complications, perioperative care, and innovative interventions like pre-habilitation, enhanced recovery, and enhanced post-operative care. With more patients living with and beyond cancer, the role of survivorship and quality of life after cancer treatment is gaining importance. The impact cancer treatments can have on patients vary, and the "scars" treatments leave are not always visible. To adequately support patients through their cancer journeys, we need to look past the short-term interactions they have with medical professionals and encourage them to consider their lives after cancer, which often is not a reﬂection of life before a cancer diagnosis. Keywords: perioperative medicine; enhanced recovery; failure to rescue; functional recovery; survivorship 1. Introduction Cancer is reported as the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020, with the world health organisation predicting this will rise to 13 million deaths globally in 2030 [1] . The aim of cancer treatment is to achieve a cure. Where this is not possible due to either metastatic disease, patient frailty, or disease burden, the focus often turns to life-extending and symptom-reducing treatments. We can divide cancer treatments into traditional, advanced, or novel categories [2] . For many years, the traditional treatment options have included surgery, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. These can be either standalone treatments or used in combination [3] . Worldwide, trials are focusing on understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning oncogenesis. There has also been some progression in advanced therapies, for example, anti-angiogenic therapy. Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from mature networks. This happens in both physiological and pathological processes within the body. Tumour angiogenesis is a key factor associated with tumour growth, progression, and metastasis; this occurs through degradation of the basement membrane,

FAQs

What is the overall goal of cancer treatment discussed in the article?

The goal is to achieve a cure when possible. When cure is not feasible due to metastatic disease, frailty, or disease burden, treatment shifts toward life-extending and symptom-reducing options.

Which developments are highlighted as improving cancer care outcomes?

The article highlights novel cancer treatments, surgery, modern imaging, and better understanding of treatment/surgical trauma. It also emphasizes rescue after complications, perioperative care, pre-habilitation, and enhanced recovery with improved post-operative care.

Why is survivorship considered increasingly important?

With more patients living with and beyond cancer, survivorship and quality of life after treatment are gaining importance. The impact of treatments may not always be visible, so patient support must extend beyond short-term interactions with clinicians.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Pentious