Preoperative Exercise in Pancreatic Cancer

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a preoperative exercise program in patients with pancreatic cancer preparing for surgery. Preoperative exercise programs have been shown to be effective in other cancer populations, but have not been investigated in patients with pancreatic cancer. The outcomes in this study will be changes in physical fitness, function, and postoperative outcomes. This investigation is a non-randomized control trial, with participants assigned to receive the preoperative exercise intervention in addition to standard care, or standard care alone if unable to commit to an exercise program for practical reasons. Possible mediators for the effects of exercise on postoperative outcomes will also be assessed, including psychological outcomes and markers of systemic inflammation. These measures will be assessed in all participants prior to program initiation, prior to surgery, and after surgery. Changes in these measures in response to exercise will be assessed, as well as the ability of the preoperative measures to predict postoperative outcomes.