When men have surgery to remove their prostate due to cancer, what they eat afterward really matters. Researchers looked at 70 men who had this surgery and compared two groups: one that received extra nutritional supplements after surgery and one that didn’t. The men who got the supplements recovered faster, left the hospital sooner, and felt better overall. Their bodies also showed stronger immune systems and better nutrition levels in their blood. This suggests that paying attention to nutrition after prostate cancer surgery could be an important part of helping patients heal and feel their best.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether giving men special nutritional supplements after prostate cancer surgery helps them recover better and faster
- Who participated: 70 men who had surgery to remove their prostate for cancer treatment between March 2022 and January 2024. The men were divided into two equal groups with similar starting health conditions
- Key finding: Men who received nutritional supplements recovered noticeably faster—their drainage tubes came out sooner, they went home from the hospital earlier, and their bodies showed stronger immune systems compared to men who didn’t get the supplements
- What it means for you: If you or someone you know is having prostate cancer surgery, discussing nutritional support with your doctor may help speed up recovery and reduce uncomfortable side effects. However, this is one small study, so talk with your medical team before making any changes
The Research Details
This was a retrospective study, which means researchers looked back at medical records from patients who had already had their surgery. They compared two groups of men: one group followed the standard recovery plan after surgery, while the other group received the standard plan plus special nutritional supplements designed to support healing. The researchers then compared how well each group recovered by looking at things like how long they stayed in the hospital, when their drainage tubes were removed, and how they felt.
The study included 70 men total who had radical prostatectomy (complete removal of the prostate gland) at one hospital between March 2022 and January 2024. Before comparing the groups, the researchers made sure both groups started out similar in terms of age, health conditions, and other important factors. This helps ensure that any differences in recovery were likely due to the nutritional supplements rather than other factors.
Looking back at real patient records (rather than doing a brand-new experiment) allows researchers to see what actually happened in real-world situations. This type of study can show us patterns and trends that might be worth studying more carefully in the future. Understanding how nutrition affects recovery after major surgery is important because it could help doctors create better recovery plans for their patients.
This study has some strengths: it compared two similar groups of patients, measured specific health markers in their blood, and tracked concrete outcomes like hospital stay length. However, there are also limitations to keep in mind. The study is relatively small (70 patients), it only looked at one hospital, and it didn’t randomly assign patients to groups—instead, it looked at records from patients who already received different treatments. These factors mean the results are promising but should be confirmed with larger, more carefully controlled studies before making major changes to standard care.
What the Results Show
Men who received nutritional supplements showed several important improvements compared to the control group. First, they were able to have their drainage tubes removed faster after surgery—this is significant because it means their bodies were healing well and producing less fluid. Second, they went home from the hospital sooner, which suggests they recovered more quickly overall.
When doctors tested the men’s blood, they found that those receiving supplements had higher levels of albumin (a protein that shows good nutrition) on the day before surgery and on days 1 and 3 after surgery. This indicates that the supplements helped maintain their nutritional status during the stressful period of surgery and recovery.
The supplement group also showed stronger immune system markers. Three days after surgery, their blood showed higher levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM)—these are proteins that help fight infections and protect the body. A stronger immune system after surgery is important because it helps prevent complications and infections.
Finally, men in the supplement group reported fewer uncomfortable symptoms after surgery, including less thirst, less hunger, and less nausea. These quality-of-life improvements matter because they help patients feel better and may help them eat and move around more, which aids recovery.
The study also found that both groups had similar baseline characteristics before surgery, which strengthens the comparison. The observation group showed no significant increase in adverse events or complications, suggesting that the nutritional supplements were safe and well-tolerated. The fact that the supplement group had fewer gastrointestinal symptoms is particularly noteworthy because it suggests the supplements may have helped with digestive comfort during the vulnerable recovery period.
This research adds to growing evidence that nutrition plays an important role in surgical recovery. Previous studies have shown that good nutrition supports immune function and wound healing, and this study provides specific evidence for prostate cancer patients. The findings align with general surgical principles that proper nutrition helps patients recover faster and with fewer complications. However, most previous research has focused on general surgery populations, so this study’s focus on prostate cancer patients specifically fills an important gap.
This study has several important limitations. First, it’s relatively small with only 70 patients, so the results might not apply to all men having this surgery. Second, it only looked at one hospital, so the results might be different in other settings or with different patient populations. Third, because it was a retrospective study looking at past records rather than a carefully controlled experiment, we can’t be completely certain that the supplements caused the improvements—other factors might have played a role. Fourth, the study doesn’t tell us exactly which nutrients in the supplements were most helpful or what the ideal doses should be. Finally, the study didn’t follow patients for a long time after discharge, so we don’t know if the benefits lasted or if there were any long-term effects.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, men undergoing prostate cancer surgery may benefit from discussing nutritional support with their surgical team. The evidence suggests moderate confidence that targeted nutritional supplements could help speed recovery and reduce uncomfortable symptoms. However, this should not replace standard medical care, and any nutritional plan should be personalized based on individual health needs, other medications, and medical conditions. Always consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian before starting any supplement regimen.
This research is most relevant to men who are scheduled for prostate cancer surgery and their families. It may also interest healthcare providers who care for prostate cancer patients. Men with other types of cancer or major surgery might find the general principles helpful, but they should discuss their specific situation with their doctors. This research is less relevant to people without cancer or those not facing surgery.
Based on this study, improvements in recovery markers appeared within the first few days after surgery (drainage tube removal and hospital discharge happened sooner). However, this study only tracked patients during their hospital stay and immediate recovery period. For longer-term benefits like overall quality of life and return to normal activities, you would need to discuss realistic timelines with your surgical team, as this varies greatly from person to person.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If you’re preparing for or recovering from prostate cancer surgery, track your daily protein and calorie intake using the app’s food logging feature, aiming for targets set by your doctor or dietitian. Also log any gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, appetite changes) and recovery milestones (when drainage tubes are removed, when you return home) to monitor your progress.
- Work with your healthcare team to create a personalized post-surgery nutrition plan, then use the app to set reminders for taking prescribed supplements at the right times and to log meals that meet your nutritional targets. Set a goal to eat small, frequent meals that are easy to digest during early recovery.
- Use the app to track weekly changes in how you feel (energy levels, digestive comfort, appetite) and any lab values your doctor shares with you. Create a recovery timeline in the app to monitor key milestones like hospital discharge date and return to normal activities, comparing your actual recovery to typical timelines your doctor provides.
This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The study described is a single retrospective analysis with a small sample size and has not been independently verified. Prostate cancer surgery and post-operative care are serious medical matters that require individualized treatment plans. Before making any decisions about nutritional supplements or changes to your recovery plan, you must consult with your oncologist, surgeon, or registered dietitian. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment plan.