Physical Activity in Patients With Kidney Cancer: A Scoping Review

Physical activity (PA) helps many cancer patients improve health-related fitness, treatment-related side effects, quality of life, and possibly survival; however, limited research has been conducted in patients with kidney cancer (KC). The aim of this scoping review focused on PA in patients with KC was to summarize current findings, delineate strengths and limitations, and provide key recommendations for future research. A scoping review was conducted and reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines. The electronic databases of PubMed and Cochrane Library were screened for studies on October 14, 2021, and the search was updated on October 31, 2021. The data were abstracted and synthesized by study design. A total of 17 articles from nine independent studies were identified including 1 cross-sectional study (n = 8 articles), 1 randomized controlled trial (n = 2 articles) and 7 cohort studies (n = 7 articles). The cross-sectional study and randomized controlled trial reported on PA participation rates, preferences, social-cognitive correlates, and quality of life in patients with KC. The 7 cohort studies mostly reported on the risk of KC mortality in general population samples. Overall, no conclusions can be drawn from current research on the safety, feasibility, and efficacy (benefits and harms) of PA in patients with KC. Future research is urgently needed on PA in patients with KC, taking into account their unique disease- and treatment-related factors. This research is necessary to inform clinical exercise guidelines in this understudied cancer patient group.