Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer patients present various physiological, metabolic, social and emotional changes as a consequence of the disease's own catabolism, and may be potentiated in the gastrointestinal tract cancer by their interference with food intake, digestion and absorption. AIM: o evaluate the functionality of upper gastrointestinal cancer patients which have undertaken surgery and analyze the factors associated with changes in strength and functionality during hospitalization time. METHODS: Prospective analytical study in patients with cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract which have undertaken surgery. Was evaluated the handgrip strength using a hand dynamometer and functionality through the functional independence measure and Functional Status Scale for Intensive Care Unit in the preoperative period, 2nd and 7th postoperative day. RESULTS: Were included 12 patients, 75% men, and mean age was 58.17 years old. The most prevalent tumor site was stomach (66.7%). There was a progressive reduction from the pre-operative palmar grip strength to the 2nd and 7th postoperative day, respectively. There was a decrease in functional performance from the preoperative period to the 2nd and a gain from the 2nd to the 7th postoperative day (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: An important reduction in the handgrip strength and functionality was evidenced during the postoperative period in relation to the basal value in the pre-operative period.