ABSTRACT

Cancer rehabilitation is a discipline of physical medicine and rehabilitation that aims to achieve the highest level of function and quality of life for patients throughout the continuum of cancer care, including treatment and survivorship. The need for comprehensive rehabilitation services has been well studied. A landmark study by Lehman et al. revealed that 50% of cancer patients have a need for rehabilitation due to deficits in ambulation and activities of daily living. A reliable and valid assessment tool is vital for the rehabilitation team to evaluate the cancer patient’s status before, during, and after the rehabilitative program such that practical short- and long-term goals may be devised for the patient. Radiotherapy as part of a combined modality program has become an integral part of cancer treatment with the intention to cure, eliminate, or prevent cancer recurrence. Unfortunately, radiation-induced side effects are a major cause of long-term disability for cancer patients.