Cancer Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation applications for physical disabilities due to the effects of the tumor or cancer treatment. Rehabilitation is needed in 54% of patients diagnosed with cancer. Rehabilitation may be needed in all tumor types, but the need for rehabilitation is higher in central nervous system, breast, lung and head and neck tumors.
Rehabilitation approaches for cancer patients
• Pain assessment and treatment
• Evaluation of the movement
• Rehabilitation in bone involvement
• Rehabilitation in cancer-related fatigue
• Exercise therapy in cancer patients
• Evaluation of neurological complications of cancer
• Rehabilitation in radiation-induced tissue damage
Pain management in cancer
• Simple pain relievers (aspirin-acetaminophen-NSAID)
• Adding morphine-derived pain relievers to the treatment
• Adding supportive drugs (eg, antidepressants-cortisone)
• Algological interventions such as nerve blocks, epidural injections, neuroablative procedures for resistant pain
• In addition to these treatments, PHYSICAL THERAPY applications for pain: TENS, analgesic currents, cold modalities etc.
• Regulation of energy balance: treatment of anemia, treatment of hormonal disorders, nutritional and vitamin support
• Energy conservation methods: use of adaptive equipment, frequent breaks from activities • Psychological: relaxation techniques, support groups are recommended.
Exercise therapy: Muscle strengthening exercises, low-intensity aerobic exercises (such as walking, cycling), balance exercises are recommended for strengthening the abdominal and back muscles in patients at risk for spinal fracture, and for preventing the risk of falling.
In the breast cancer rehabilitation program, joint range of motion exercises and stretching exercises are performed on the shoulder after the operation. When the drains are removed, active range of motion exercises are started and the movements are slowly progressed. Lymphedema treatment is applied. In the treatment of lymphedema, manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy (compression bandage - compression garment), curative lymphedema exercises and skin care are applied. In lung tumors, respiratory exercises, neck and arm muscle strengthening exercises and aerobic exercises are recommended to the patient. Neck limitation may develop in patients who receive RT to the head and neck region. Neck joint range of motion exercises and stretching exercises in all directions, strengthening of the muscles in the back of the neck and posture training are applied.