[THE IMPORTANCE AND UNIQUENESS OF THE ONCOLOGICAL REHABILITATION PROCESS].

Abstract

Introduction: Rehabilitation is a holistic process that addresses the impairment that causes the disability and tries to restore optimal function. The incidence of cancer has been constantly increasing in recent years and thereby, the damage to the patients' quality of life, as a result of the disease and the oncological treatments. In an attempt to improve this, a unique branch of rehabilitation has been developing in recent years, specializing in improving patients' function throughout the entire disease trajectory, from the day of diagnosis to the most advanced stages. The oncological rehabilitation model adjusts the treatment goals to the stage of the disease. First, pre-habilitative treatment to prevent the expected functional decline around the time of diagnosis. Rehabilitation attempts to restore damaged function during the treatments. As the disease progresses - compensatory mechanisms strive to improve function and provide supportive and palliative treatment for preservation and prevention of complications. The rehabilitation process can lead to a significant improvement in the quality of life of many oncology patients who face long-term consequences of the disease and its treatments. The emerging research indicates the contribution of rehabilitation, throughout all stages of the disease, to the quality of life and in some cases to extending life expectancy. Thanks to the emerging recognition among the two disciplines of care (oncology and physiatry) of the importance of quality of life alongside oncology treatments, it seems that there is a reason for optimism regarding the continued development and establishment of oncology rehabilitation.