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Early detection of brain metastases in a supervised exercise program for patients with advanced breast cancer : A case report
Pelaez, Mireia Stuiver, Martijn M. Broekman, Marike Schmitz, Kathryn H. Zopf, Eva M. Clauss, Dorothea Wengström, Yvonne Rosenberger, Friederike Steindorf, Karen Urruticoechea, Ander
Pelaez, Mireia
Stuiver, Martijn M.
Broekman, Marike
Schmitz, Kathryn H.
Zopf, Eva M.
Clauss, Dorothea
Wengström, Yvonne
Rosenberger, Friederike
Steindorf, Karen
Urruticoechea, Ander
Abstract
Introduction
Around 25% of metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients develop brain metastases, which vastly affects their overall survival and quality of life. According to the current clinical guidelines, regular magnetic resonance imaging screening is not recommended unless patients have recognized central nervous system–related symptoms.
Patient Presentation
The patient participated in the EFFECT study, a randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of a 9-month structured, individualized and supervised exercise intervention on quality of life, fatigue and other cancer and treatment-related side effects in patients with mBC. She attended the training sessions regularly and was supervised by the same trainer throughout the exercise program. In month 7 of participation, her exercise trainer detected subtle symptoms (e.g., changes in movement pattern, eye movement or balance), which had not been noticed or reported by the patient herself or her family, and which were unlikely to have been detected by the oncologist or other health care providers at that point since symptoms were exercise related. When suspicion of brain metastases was brought to the attention of the oncologist by the exercise trainer, the response was immediate, and led to early detection and treatment of brain metastases.
Conclusion and clinical implications
The brain metastases of this patient were detected earlier due to the recognition of subtle symptoms detected by her exercise trainer and the trust and rapid action by the clinician. The implementation of physical exercise programs for cancer patients requires well-trained professionals who know how to recognize possible alterations in patients and also, good communication between trainers and the medical team to enable the necessary actions to be taken.
Keywords
exercise, training, metastatic breast cancer, brain metastases, diagnosis, prevention
Date
2023
Type
Journal article
Journal
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Book
Volume
55
Issue
10
Page Range
1745-1749
Article Number
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open