Rehabilitation of patients with advanced cancer

Despite growing interest in advanced cancer patients' quality of life, litt le attention has been directed toward preservation or recovery of their fun ction. Although there is a dearth of supportive literature, extensive exper ience with other advanced disease populations suggests that standard, widel y available rehabilitation strategies can enhance function in cancer. Logis tic challenges to the provision of adequate rehabilitation to advanced canc er patients is discussed in this article, based on the author's experience and discussions in the literature. Common sources of functional impairment are reviewed with elucidation of rehabilitation approaches likely to benefi t affected patients. Appropriate physical and occupational therapy techniqu es, as well as appropriate orthotics, assistive devices, and environmental modifications, are outlined for each of these impairments. In the author's view, rehabilitation should be considered for all advanced cancer patients experiencing functional decline. Pathways and referral patterns need to be established so that timely and appropriate functional restoration may occur . Cancer (C) 2001 American Cancer Society.