Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are not to be omitted in a cancer therapy plan

With the improvements in oncological treatment, the number of cancer survivors each year increases. The most often utilized surgery, radio-, and chemotherapy are associated with a number of adverse effects, which often persist and significantly worsen patient’s quality of life (QoL). Cancer treatment often causes impairment of cardiorespiratory fitness, increased fatigue and decline of psychological health. A wide variety of rehabilitation and physical therapy interventions are available to reduce the intensity and prevalence of those effects, with various strength of evidence supporting their use. This review aims to highlight interventions supported by evidence base, used for the treatment of the most commonly occurring adverse effects of cancer therapy. Since the guidelines for rehabilitation and therapy post oncological treatment is lacking, we present evidence on why scientific efforts should be made to implement the most promising interventions.