Women ’s Cancer Rehabilitation: a Review of Functional Impairments and Interventions Among Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this narrative review was to highlight rehabilitation-relevant aspects of cancer treatment and primarily musculoskeletal impairments and rehabilitation interventions among women with breast and gynecologic cancers. For breast cancer, we reviewed post-mastectomy pain syndrome, upper quadrant dysfunction, aromatase inhibitor musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS), and lymphedema. For gynecologic cancers, pelvic floor dysfunction, lymphedema, and insufficiency fractures were selected.Recent FindingsThe recent breast cancer rehabilitation literature evaluates the pathophysiology of impairments such as AIMSS and osteoporosis. Studies have applied technologically advanced methods to quantify impairments such as upper quadrant dysfunction. Systematic reviews have assessed interventions across impairments. Among gynecologic cancers, pelvic floor dysfunction appears to be more commonly assessed. Small-sized pelvic floor intervention studies suggest improvement with rehabilitation.SummaryA large volume of studies describes breast cancer –related impairments. There is a need to further characterize and quantify functional impairments among gynecologic cancer survivors. For both populations, future research should robustly evaluate rehabilitation interventions.

Source: Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports - May 22, 2020 Category: Rehabilitation Source Type: research