Aerobic exercise for a patient suffering from metastatic bone disease

A 48-year-old female patient suffering from advanced breast cancer with metastatic bone disease participated in an aerobic exercise program consisting of ergometer cycling three times a week for 1 year. Feasibility, safety and beneficial effects of the program were proven for the patient in this case study. V(overdot)O(2)max (20.2% after 16 weeks, 52.7% after 12 months) and peak work capacity (15.5% after 16 weeks, 35.7% after 12 months) had increased. The patient experienced a marked improvement in physical performance and in quality of life. Aerobic exercise, initiated and executed with appropriate care, may serve as a useful additional means of palliative treatment in some cancer patients with bone metastases.