Challenges in rehabilitation of patients with nontraumatic spinal cord dysfunction due to tumors

Abstract

SummaryThe incidence of\xa0cancer-associated non-traumatic spinal cord dysfunction is rising due to population aging and better cancer treatment. The overall benefit of rehabilitation in specialized facilities for traumatic spinal cord dysfunction has been confirmed many times. Because of their fragility and\xa0multiple comorbidities\xa0cancer patients still face challenges to complete rehabilitation in the spinal rehabilitation facilities. In this narrative review we describe specific aspects, challenges in rehabilitation and opportunities to improve care. A\xa0literature search\xa0was performed in the\xa0PubMed\xa0database from 1 January 1978 to 30 November 2018. The focus was to\xa0find\xa0publications that discuss challenges and opportunities for rehabilitation of patients with non-traumatic spinal cord dysfunction due to a\xa0tumor. Most publications described the benefits of rehabilitation in specialized facilities. There were only few publications about survival and functional outcomes after rehabilitation for this patient population. Overall benefits including fewer complications associated with spinal cord dysfunction, less pain and depression, and better quality of life were shown. Within the past decades increasing number of publications revealed a\xa0growing interest for this group of patients.\xa0Despite major progress in cancer treatment, patients still have a\xa0limited vital prognosis and access to specialized rehabilitation units because of the concerns about the medical complexity. Patients with spinal cord tumors can benefit in areas of functionality, mood, quality of life, and survival from inpatient rehabilitation programs, in spite of the increased medical comorbidities.