Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer rehabilitation is a physician-supervised program for people who have undergone treatment for cancer. People who have survived cancer may have physical, emotional, and social issues that affect their quality of life, no matter what kind of cancer they have been treated for.

Cancer rehabilitation program can often help improve function, reduce pain, improving physical conditioning, endurance, exercise performance and the well-being of cancer survivors.

Services offered:

• Lymphedema evaluation and management. Lymphedema is condition that can occur related to several cancers such as neck, melanoma, breast, prostate, uterine, cervix, ovarian, testicle, colon, lymphoma and others. The obstruction of the lymph flow usually occurs due to dissemination of the cancer cells, removal of lymph nodes and/or effects of radiation therapy. The impairment to the flow causes accumulation of the lymph and can occur in any part of the body including face, trunk, pelvis, genitalia, arms or legs. Early detection and treatment is the key to prevent further accumulation and complications such as chronic inflammatory process, skin fibrosis, ulcers, infections (cutaneous lymphoadenitis) commonly known as cellulitis with risk of sepsis requiring hospitalization and aggressive treatment with antibiotics. The most common treatments for lymphedema are a combination of the use of manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging and garment; and intermittent sequential gradient devices. Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is a system of manual lymphatic drainage massage, application of multi-layer compression bandages, therapeutic exercises, skin care, prevention of complications and patient education.

• Pain assessment and control. Other conditions that can be addressed in a cancer rehabilitation program is pain control that can be treated with several options such as physical therapy, medications, exercises, and other modalities.
  

• Neuropathy diagnosis and management. Some neoplasms and chemotherapy agents can cause peripheral neuropathy causing pain and sometimes weakness. Other nerve tissues can be also affected like spinal nerves, brachial or lumbo-sacral plexus. These conditions can be diagnosed performing a study that evaluate the condition and physiology of the peripheral nerves, Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS).
  

• Physical conditioning. Patient to the extend of the physical status and overall health, should be provided with a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program to maintain stamina, improve strength, muscle mass, aerobic tolerance, flexibility, balance and coordination; promote ambulation with fall prevention strategies.