Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Rehabilitation Of Patients With Breast Cancer

  • Chapter
Breast Cancer 2nd edition

Part of the book series: M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Series ((MDCCS))

Breast cancer survivors often face physical and psychosocial impairments that can adversely affect their quality of life. Not only surgery but also radiation therapy and systemic therapy can lead to sequelae that necessitate a rehabilitation program. Among the most common sequelae of breast cancer treatment are shoulder dysfunction, pain, and lymphedema. A cancer rehabilitation team can help minimize long-term disability, thereby improving quality of life. After breast cancer surgery, early mobilization of the ipsilateral arm with supervision by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and physical therapists can accelerate return of range of motion, decrease pain, and reduce emotional trauma without increasing the risk of postsurgical complications. A multidisciplinary approach involving a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical therapist, and occupational therapist can optimize the management of lymphedema. Inpatient rehabilitation can improve function in patients with severe disability, especially patients with advance disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abe M, Iwase T, Takeuchi T. A randomized controlled trial on the prevention of seroma after partial or total mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. Breast Cancer 1998;5:67–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Badger C, Preston N, Seers K, et al. Benzo-pyrones for reducing and controlling lymphoedema of the limbs. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004a;(2):CD003140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Badger C, Preston N, Seers K, et al. Physical therapies for reducing and controlling lymphoedema of the limbs. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004b;(4):CD003141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaulac SM, McNair LA, Scott TE, et al. Lymphedema and quality of life in survivors of early-stage breast cancer. Arch Surg 2002;137:1253–1257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bender CM, Ergyn FS, Rosenzweig MQ, et al. Symptom clusters in breast cancer across 3 phases of the disease. Cancer Nurs 2005;28:219–225.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard DK, Donohue JH, Reynolds C, et al. Relapse and morbidity in patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy alone or with axillary dissection for breast cancer. Arch Surg 2003;138:482–487.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boehmke MM, Dickerson SS. Symptoms, symptom experiences, and symptom distress encountered by women with breast cancer undergoing current treatment modalities. Cancer Nurs 2005;28:382–389.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bouknight RR, Bradley CJ, Luo Z. Correlates of return to work for breast cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol 2006;24:345–353.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Box RC, Reul-Hirche HM, Bullock-Saxton JE, et al. Physiotherapy after breast cancer surgery: results of a randomised controlled study to minimize lymphoedema. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2002a;75:51–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Box RC, Reul-Hirche HM, Bullock-Saxton JE, et al. Shoulder movement after breast cancer surgery: results of a randomised controlled study of postoperative physiotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2002b;75:35–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brorson H. Liposuction in arm lymphedema treatment. Scand J Surg 2003;92: 287–295.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burckhardt CS, Jones KD. Effects of chronic widespread pain on the health status and quality of life of women after breast cancer surgery. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2005;3:30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caban ME, Freeman JL, Zhang DD, et al. The relationship between depressive symptoms and shoulder mobility among older women: assessment at one year after breast cancer diagnosis. Clin Rehabil 2006;20:513–522.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caffo O, Amichetti M, Ferro A, et al. Pain and quality of life after surgery for breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2003;80:39–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campisi C, Boccardo F, Zilli A, et al. Lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment: possibility of diagnostic and therapeutic prevention. Ann Ital Chir 2002;73:493–498.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cole RP, Scialla SJ, Bednarz L. Functional recovery in cancer rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:623–627.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Courneya KS, Mackey JR, Bell GJ, et al. Randomized controlled trial of exercise training in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors: cardiopulmonary and quality of life outcomes. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:1660–1668.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards AG, Hailey S, Maxwell M. Psychological interventions for women with metastatic breast cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(2):CD004253.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shazly MM, Kamel AH, El-Sonbaty MA, et al. Endoscope-assisted lymphatic microanastomoses: concept, results, expectations, and applications. J Reconstr Microsurg 2003;19:381–384.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hassall A, Graveline C, Hilliard P. A retrospective study of the effects of the Lymphapress pump on lymphedema in a pediatric population. Lymphology 2001;34:156–165.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes S, Battistutta D, Newman B. Objective and subjective upper body function six months following diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2005;94:1–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heim ME, Kunert S, Ozkan I. Effects of inpatient rehabilitation on health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients. Onkologie 2001;24:268–272.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu C, Sliwa JA. Phantom breast pain as a source of functional loss. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2004;83:659–662.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kakuda JT, Stuntz M, Trivedi V, et al. Objective assessment of axillary morbidity in breast cancer treatment. Am Surg 1999;65:995–998.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kligman L, Wong RK, Johnston M, et al. The treatment of lymphedema related to breast cancer: a systematic review and evidence summary. Support Care Cancer 2004;12:421–431.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leidenius M, Leivonen M, Vironen J, et al. The consequences of long-time arm morbidity in node-negative breast cancer patients with sentinel node biopsy or axillary clearance. J Surg Oncol 2005;92:23–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandelblatt JS, Lawrence WF, Cullen J, et al. Patterns of care in early-stage breast cancer survivors in the first year after cessation of active treatment. J Clin Oncol 2006;24:77–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McWayne J, Heiney SP. Psychologic and social sequelae of secondary lymphedema: a review. Cancer 2005;104:457–466.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morrell RM, Halyard MY, Schild SE, et al. Breast cancer-related lymphedema. Mayo Clin Proc 2005;80:1480–1484.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mortimer PS. Investigation and management of lymphoedema. Vascular Medicine Review 1990;1:1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrek JA, Heelan MC. Incidence of breast carcinoma-related lymphedema. Cancer 1998;83(suppl 12 American):2776–2781.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rinehart-Ayres ME. Conservative approaches to lymphedema treatment. Cancer 1998;83(Suppl. 12 American):2828–2832.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roy P, Clark MA, Thomas JM. Stewart-Treves syndrome—treatment and outcome in six patients from a single centre. Eur J Surg Oncol 2004;30:982–986.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schierle C, Winograd JM. Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy: review. Complication without a cure. J Reconstr Microsurg 2004;20:149–152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schijven MP, Vingerhoets AJ, Rutten HJ, et al. Comparison of morbidity between axillary lymph node dissection and sentinel node biopsy. Eur J Surg Oncol 2003;29:341–350.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schrenk P, Rieger R, Shamiyeh A, et al. Morbidity following sentinel lymph node biopsy versus axillary lymph node dissection for patients with breast carcinoma. Cancer 2000;88:608–614.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shamley DR, Barker K, Simonite V, et al. Delayed versus immediate exercises following surgery for breast cancer: a systematic review. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2005;90:263–271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith WC, Bourne D, Squair J, et al. A retrospective cohort study of post mastectomy pain syndrome. Pain 1999;83:91–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torresan RZ, Cabello C, Conde DM, et al. Impact of the preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve in axillary lymphadenectomy due to breast cancer. Breast J 2003;9:389–392.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trudel G, Uhthoff HK. Contractures secondary to immobility: is the restriction articular or muscular? An experimental longitudinal study in the rat knee. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:6–13.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wittenberg KH, Adkins MC. MR imaging of nontraumatic brachial plexopathies: frequency and spectrum of findings. Radiographics 2000;20:1023–1032.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo HJ, Ahn SH, Kim SB, et al. Efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training and guided imagery in reducing chemotherapy side effects in patients with breast cancer and in improving their quality of life. Support Care Cancer 2005;13:826–833.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Medicine Physicians, Fredericksburg, Virginia

    Anne N. Truong (Physiatrist)

Authors
  1. Ying Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anne N. Truong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA

    Kelly K. Hunt MD

  2. Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA

    Geoffrey L. Robb MD

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA

    Eric A. Strom MD

  4. Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA

    Naoto T. Ueno MD, PhD

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Guo, Y., Truong, A.N. (2008). Rehabilitation Of Patients With Breast Cancer . In: Hunt, K.K., Robb, G.L., Strom, E.A., Ueno, N.T. (eds) Breast Cancer 2nd edition. M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34952-7_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34952-7_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-34950-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-34952-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation