Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, balance and tumor biomarker dynamics following a multimodal exercise-nutrition intervention in a multimorbid elderly colorectal cancer survivor with liver metastasis: a case report.
[BACKGROUND] Older survivors of metastatic colorectal cancer frequently present with multimorbidity, functional impairment, and limited evidence-based guidance for non-pharmacological treatment.
APA
Garnacho-Castaño MV, Garnacho-Castaño H, et al. (2026). Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, balance and tumor biomarker dynamics following a multimodal exercise-nutrition intervention in a multimorbid elderly colorectal cancer survivor with liver metastasis: a case report.. AME case reports, 10, 70. https://doi.org/10.21037/acr-2025-322
MLA
Garnacho-Castaño MV, et al.. "Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, balance and tumor biomarker dynamics following a multimodal exercise-nutrition intervention in a multimorbid elderly colorectal cancer survivor with liver metastasis: a case report.." AME case reports, vol. 10, 2026, pp. 70.
PMID
41971918
Abstract
[BACKGROUND] Older survivors of metastatic colorectal cancer frequently present with multimorbidity, functional impairment, and limited evidence-based guidance for non-pharmacological treatment. This case report describes a complex geriatric colorectal cancer survivor with a history of liver metastasis and significant comorbidity who underwent a supervised multimodal exercise-nutrition intervention.
[CASE DESCRIPTION] A 78-year-old colorectal cancer survivor with previous hepatic metastasis completed an 8-week supervised concurrent exercise and nutritional intervention. The intervention program primarily combined aerobic, resistance, and balance training with a Mediterranean- and Nordic-style diet emphasizing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods. Outcomes included anthropometry, cardiorespiratory performance via a 6-minute walk test with gas analysis, lower-limb strength (sit-to-stand test), postural balance on a force platform, and tumor biomarkers [carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9)]. Functional outcomes demonstrated marked improvements: walking distance during the six-minute walk test increased by 52%, oxygen uptake during the 6MWT by 50%, and lower-limb strength by 33%. Balance assessments revealed significant reductions in sway area (-35.6% eyes open; -51.8% eyes closed), indicating improved postural stability. These physiological adaptations were accompanied by modest reductions in body weight (-4.3%) and resting heart rate (-10.8%). Following the intervention, serum CEA and CA 19-9 levels decreased by 48.8% and 31.2%, respectively, with CEA reaching the normal range.
[CONCLUSIONS] This case illustrates the feasibility and clinical relevance of a supervised, multimodal exercise-nutrition intervention in a multimorbid, elderly survivor of metastatic colorectal cancer. The pronounced improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and balance represent the most robust findings, while observed tumor biomarker dynamics should be interpreted cautiously. Although causality cannot be inferred, these observations highlight the potential role of personalized lifestyle-based rehabilitation strategies within survivorship care and support further investigation in longitudinal and controlled studies.
[CASE DESCRIPTION] A 78-year-old colorectal cancer survivor with previous hepatic metastasis completed an 8-week supervised concurrent exercise and nutritional intervention. The intervention program primarily combined aerobic, resistance, and balance training with a Mediterranean- and Nordic-style diet emphasizing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods. Outcomes included anthropometry, cardiorespiratory performance via a 6-minute walk test with gas analysis, lower-limb strength (sit-to-stand test), postural balance on a force platform, and tumor biomarkers [carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9)]. Functional outcomes demonstrated marked improvements: walking distance during the six-minute walk test increased by 52%, oxygen uptake during the 6MWT by 50%, and lower-limb strength by 33%. Balance assessments revealed significant reductions in sway area (-35.6% eyes open; -51.8% eyes closed), indicating improved postural stability. These physiological adaptations were accompanied by modest reductions in body weight (-4.3%) and resting heart rate (-10.8%). Following the intervention, serum CEA and CA 19-9 levels decreased by 48.8% and 31.2%, respectively, with CEA reaching the normal range.
[CONCLUSIONS] This case illustrates the feasibility and clinical relevance of a supervised, multimodal exercise-nutrition intervention in a multimorbid, elderly survivor of metastatic colorectal cancer. The pronounced improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and balance represent the most robust findings, while observed tumor biomarker dynamics should be interpreted cautiously. Although causality cannot be inferred, these observations highlight the potential role of personalized lifestyle-based rehabilitation strategies within survivorship care and support further investigation in longitudinal and controlled studies.