Article

Brain and other central nervous system tumors have a very high likelihood of
producing long-term disabling effects owing to the tumor itself and the effects
of treatment, including surgical complications, neurotoxic effects of radiation,
and debility caused by chemotherapy. Even benign or low-grade brain tumors can
cause significant disability. Brain tumors occur over the life span, showing
progressively higher incidence with advancing age. The common types of primary
brain tumor differ between pediatric and adult age groups. Evidence for
effectiveness of rehabilitation is favorable. Brain tumor patients treated in
acute rehabilitation settings improve comparably with individuals with stroke or
traumatic brain injury. Although patients with primary brain tumors have been
better studied than those with metastatic disease, significant gains with
inpatient rehabilitation have been reported in the latter group also. Outpatient
programs to address cognitive deficits in brain tumor survivors, including
cognitive therapy and pharmacologic strategies, have found benefit. While the
patient is receiving rehabilitation care, physiatrists, in interdisciplinary
collaboration with the pertinent oncology-related services, assist with managing
symptoms including fatigue, headache, and sleep disturbance and medical
complications including depression, seizures, and thromboembolic disease. Better
methods are needed to identify patients for rehabilitation services when
appropriate over the course of the disease process.

Langue : ANGLAIS