Safety, Precautions, and Modalities in Cancer Rehabilitation: an Updated Review

Abstract

Purpose of Review Providing rehabilitation to patients with cancer can be challenging due to the medical complexity associated with the illness and its treatments. This article provides the reader with a summary of frequently encountered medical conditions in the cancer population and associated safety considerations and precautions. An update on treatment modalities commonly used for symptom management is also presented. Recent Findings Cancer and cancer treatments can cause changes in multiple organ systems. Special considerations and precautions are necessary to provide safe and effective rehabilitation. Physical modalities can be used as monotherapy or adjunct to treatment for common cancer-related side effects with recent studies noting benefit with a variety of modalities. Summary Detailed assessment of the cancer patient is necessary before implementing a rehabilitation program. Understanding cancer and side effects of treatments, including newer options, are necessary to provide safe care.

Medical and Cardiac Risk Stratification and Exercise Prescription in Persons With Cancer

“…4 Patients are at higher risk of infection with neutropenia and clinicians should monitor trends to help modify exercise habits (such as avoiding public gyms and pools) along with practicing strict hand hygiene. 4,29 The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is effective in reducing neutropenia and febrile neutropenia by stimulating granulopoiesis and is recommended when the risk of febrile neutropenia is equal to or more than 20%. 30 Vital signs should be monitored closely in these patients, particularly for the presence of a fever, as febrile neutropenia is a medical emergency and requires emergent treatment and can result from a patient's own flora.…”

“…30 Vital signs should be monitored closely in these patients, particularly for the presence of a fever, as febrile neutropenia is a medical emergency and requires emergent treatment and can result from a patient's own flora. 29…”

“…29 Whole brain radiation can result in cognitive changes over time as well, including impaired memory and executive functioning. 29…”

“…Neutropenia is identified as having an absolute neutrophil count less than 500 μl and occurs within 1 wk after chemotherapy 4 . Patients are at higher risk of infection with neutropenia and clinicians should monitor trends to help modify exercise habits (such as avoiding public gyms and pools) along with practicing strict hand hygiene 4,29 . The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is effective in reducing neutropenia and febrile neutropenia by stimulating granulopoiesis and is recommended when the risk of febrile neutropenia is equal to or more than 20% 30 .…”

Enzyme‐Activatable Polypeptide for Plasma Membrane Disruption and Antitumor Immunity Elicitation

“…Thus far, the commonly used cancer treatment modalities are surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy). [19][20][21] In spite of the acceptable curation effect for patients at early stage, these therapies are still unsatisfactory in the aspects of good prognosis and minimal adverse effects. [22,23] To this end, plasma membrane disintegration Enzyme-instructed self-assembly of bioactive molecules into nanobundles inside cells is conceived to potentially disrupt plasma membrane and subcellular structure.…”