Oncology Physiotherapy: The Physiotherapeutic Approach to Cancer

What Are Cancer and Oncology?

Cancer

Cancer is described as the abnormal growth of cells that result in the development of a large mass called a tumor.

• Malignant tumors are tumors that can spread and invade surrounding tissues. In some people, the abnormal cells break and travel to other parts of the body, which is termed metastasis.

• Benign tumors do not tend to invade the surrounding tissues and do not reoccur once surgically removed.

Oncology

Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

• Medical oncology includes chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and other medications to treat cancer.

• Radiation oncology includes the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer.

• Surgery oncology includes the use of surgery and other medical procedures to treat cancer.

What Are the Causes of Cancer?

Various factors cause cancer. The most common is the mutation of genes by lifestyle and environmental factors. Inherited genetics is also a cause of cancer. In some cases, the cause is idiopathic. There are several environmental factors that cause an increased risk of developing cancer. They are:

• Carcinogens - There are various carcinogens that cause cancer; the most obvious one is tobacco. Tobacco is the major cause of lung cancer. Carcinogens may occur in surroundings naturally in the form of ultraviolet rays and several viruses.

• Radiation - Large doses of radiation cause cancer. But some studies have proven that very low doses of radiation emitted by the X-rays can also cause cancer.

• Pollution - Air pollution is considered to have a risk factor for developing cancer.

• Obesity - Obesity is one of the common causes that contribute to developing cancer. Diet and exercise prevent the risk of cancer.

• Infections - Infections caused by bacteria and viruses contribute to developing cancer. Infection may also cause a benign tumor to a malignant tumor.

• Stress - Stress is also another cause of developing cancer.

• Immunosuppressive Drugs - Drugs that suppress the patient's immune system cause cancer.

What Are Various Benign and Malignant Conditions?

There are several types of cancer that are classified as benign and malignant cancers. Some of the commons are:

• Breast cancer.

• Lung cancer.

• Brain tumors.

• Cervical cancer.

• Chondroblastoma.

• Acute myeloid leukemia.

• Colorectal cancer.

• Gastric cancer.

• Giant cell tumor.

• Pancreatic cancer.

• Hodgkin's lymphoma.

• Malignant melanoma.

• Multiple myeloma.

• Osteoblastoma.

• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

• Neuroblastoma.

• Osteosarcoma.

• Renal cancer.

• Testicular cancer.

• Thyroid cancer.

• Paraneoplastic syndrome.

• Osteoid osteoma.

• Lipoma.

• Prostate cancer.

• Rectum cancer.

• Leukemia, and many more.

What Is Oncology Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy or physical therapy is involved in managing, caring for, and rehabilitating patients with cancer from the diagnosis of the disease to the end of their life. It also helps to maximize the strength and function of a cancer patient before, during, and after undergoing cancer treatment.

Oncology physiotherapy plays a major role after surgical treatment by reducing pain, joint range of motion, post-surgical scar tissue, and cording. It helps to change soft tissue after radiation therapy. It also plays a role during systemic anti-cancer treatment to prevent sarcopenia (muscle loss and weakness), fatigue, joint pain, osteopenia, imbalance, and peripheral neuropathy.

What Is Cancer Rehabilitation?

The program that helps patients with cancer to improve and maintain their emotional and physical well-being is said as cancer rehabilitation. Cancer rehabilitation involves many specialists working together to develop a customized treatment plan to the patient's preferences. One among them is the physiotherapists who are involved in rehabilitating cancer patients to get various benefits before, during, and after cancer treatment. Cancer rehabilitation program helps patients to experience a quick and full recovery from the disease.

What Is the Role of Physiotherapists in Cancer Patients?

Physiotherapists work in cancer rehabilitation to improve the quality of life of the affected persons. The oncology physiotherapy includes:

• Lymphoedema massage.

• Compression casting (involves in neurological rehabilitation).

• Manual therapy.

• Breathing training and education.

• Pain education.

• Balancing and safety assessment.

• Fatigue management.

• Scar management.

• Customized exercises prescription and counseling.

Cancer rehabilitation by physiotherapy helps the person with cancer in many ways. They are:

• Pain - Physiotherapists approach pain management in cancer patients in various modes such as massage therapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, thermal modalities, active movement, etc.

• Fatigue Management - Physiotherapist helps patients with cancer to perform exercises that improve their fitness, muscle strength, and quality of life, especially in patients treated for prostate, breast, and hematological cancers.

• Lymphoedema Massage - Physiotherapist helps to reduce the risk of lymphoedema by offering self-massage techniques and massage and compression techniques.

• Breathing Training and Education - The physiotherapist helps in relieving respiratory complaints such as breathlessness by suggesting breathing control exercises and some active exercises.

• Decreased Mobility - The mobility of the affected individuals can deteriorate at any stage of cancer. So physiotherapists perform gait training exercises and combination exercises, or in some cases, they suggest mobility aids to improve mobility.

• Scar Management - Post-surgical scars are managed by physiotherapists by using scar massages, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and pressure therapy.

• Neuro-oncology - Physiotherapy plays a key role in rehabilitating the coordination, imbalance, strength, and mobility in patients affected by spinal cord cancers.

• Physiotherapy helps in reducing treatment-related side effects. The common side effects from the treatment of cancer are fatigue, pain, joint stiffness, lymphoedema, reduction in bone density (results in osteoporosis), and deconditioning.

• Physiotherapists also suggest patients perform day-to-day activities such as climbing stairs and getting dressed.

• Physiotherapist also helps improve the mood and reduce anxiety and depression in patients with cancer.

• In general, physiotherapy helps to improve poor physical health, lower health-related quality of life, and depressive symptoms in patients with cancer.

Conclusion

Physiotherapy is an effective method to support the treatment of cancer. It also plays a vital role in preventing cancer. Physiotherapy programs that are individualized have a positive impact on patient cooperation. Patients with advanced-stage cancer can be offered motivational counseling and customized exercise training. In addition, the combination of physiotherapists and mental health professionals for cancer rehabilitation can impact the patient's physical activities and improve their quality of life.