Patient Related Outcome Measures (Jan 2020)
Rehabilitation to Improve the Function and Quality of Life of Soft Tissue and Bony Sarcoma Patients
Abstract
Cody C Andrews,1 Geoffrey Siegel,2 Sean Smith1 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USACorrespondence: Cody C AndrewsDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, 325 E. Eisenhower Pkwy, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USATel +1 734-936-7175Fax +1 734-615-6713Email [email protected]: Sarcomas are bone and soft tissue tumors that can have significant effects on patient function and quality of life. Like most malignancies, treatment includes a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical resection, all of which also carry risks and long-term effects. A multidisciplinary rehabilitation plan can help minimize symptoms and sequelae which negatively affect the patient function and quality of life, including pain, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, radiation fibrosis, activity restrictions following surgical excision, amputation, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and lymphedema. Patients should be evaluated by a rehabilitation specialist at any point during their diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship phase to determine appropriate interventions to minimize the impact of sarcomas and their treatment on patient function and quality of life.Keywords: soft tissue sarcoma, bone sarcoma, rehabilitation, sarcoma rehabilitation, function, quality of life, limb salvage, amputation
