Seeking Patient Care?
Our mission is to improve function, mobility, independence, activity level and quality of life in cancer patients from the time of diagnosis, through survivorship, and at the end of life.
With the number of new cancer diagnoses increasing each year, cancer continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. In the past, many individuals lost the battle to cancer typically within a few months or years of diagnosis. Thanks to advances in technology, early detection and improved treatment options, patients are often living many years beyond the date of their initial diagnosis.
According to the National Institute of Health, there are more than 16.9 million cancer survivors living in the U.S today. While survivorship is of utmost importance, many patients continue to deal with the side effects of chemotherapeutic agents, surgeries and radiation for years after treatment concludes. Survivors need help to deal with the toll of these effects on their physical and psychosocial function, as they work towards reaching their new sense of normalcy.
Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine specialists focus on these needs. Needs vary depending on the original cancer diagnosis, types of treatments and any other related health problems that affect the survivor’s overall function. Furthermore, growing research also supports the role of early integration of Cancer Rehabilitation services, “Prehabilitation,” in order to help prepare patients for the difficult treatments ahead. Simply put, cancer rehabilitation can be described as the field focused on restoring quality of life and function to cancer patients. Cancer rehabilitation physicians also provide guidance on return to exercise and physical activity.
Other common conditions treated include:
- chemotherapy related peripheral neuropathies
- fatigue
- pain syndromes
- lymphedema
- radiation fibrosis
The concept uses a team approach, as well as a combination of medications, modalities, and interventional procedures to restore function to patients suffering from all stages of disease.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid that can cause swelling in the arms, neck, breasts, trunk or legs. In the United States, it is most commonly occurs secondary to cancer and cancer-related treatments (lymph node removal, radiation). Lymphedema can also be hereditary, caused by infections, or severe chronic venous disease.
Untreated, this stagnant, protein-rich fluid not only causes tissue channels to increase in size and number, but also reduces oxygen through the transport system, interferes with wound healing, and provides a culture medium for bacteria that can result in various infections. When lymphedema is chronic, it can result in fibrosis (hardening) of the extremity tissues. Lymphedema can impact function, cause pain and heaviness and affect quality of life.
When lymphedema is diagnosed promptly and treatment begun early, symptoms can be well controlled and complications prevented.
Diana Molinares, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Fellowship Trained in Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine