cancer rehabilitation

Introduction

Issues:

• weakness/fatigue
• pain
• mobility
• self care
• dysphagia
• cognitive impairment
• lymphedema

Rehabilitation settings:

• during primary oncologic treatment
• during outpatient status
• intensive inpatient rehabilitation
  • comparable functional gains to non-cancer patients
  • higher interruption of rehabilitation care
• poor prognosis not exclusionary

Bony metastatic disease

• keep high suspicion
• if unstable lesion is suspected
  • non weight-bearing
  • plain radiographs
  • surgical consult
  • appropriate body mechanics
  • bracing for the spine

Special considerations

• thrombocytopenia (platelet count)
• < 10,000/mm3: no exercise or active physical therapy
• 10,000-20,000/mm3
  • no resistance training
  • aerobic exercise ok
• > 30,000: exercise not restricted

More general terms

• rehabilitation