Oncology Physical Therapy Course

Lesson 1 • Oncology Treatment Modalities

Surveys surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Links each modality to expected physiotherapy-relevant side effects.

Lesson 2 • Physiological Effects of Cancer Treatment

Examines organ-level and systemic effects of oncology treatments on function. Grounds clinical decision-making in evidence-based pathophysiology.

Lesson 3 • Cancer Types and Staging Systems

Introduces major cancer diagnoses and universal staging frameworks. Enables therapists to interpret oncology records and prioritize rehabilitation goals.

Lesson 4 • Cancer Biology and Cell Behavior

Covers cell cycle dysregulation, tumor growth, and metastatic pathways. Provides the biological basis for understanding treatment side effects and contraindications.

Lesson 1 • Oncology-Specific Patient History

Teaches structured intake of cancer diagnosis, treatment history, and functional decline. Establishes the clinical picture needed for safe intervention planning.

Lesson 2 • Functional Outcome Measures

Introduces validated tools for measuring strength, endurance, balance, and quality of life. Enables objective tracking of rehabilitation progress over time.

Lesson 3 • Clinical Reasoning and Goal Setting

Synthesizes assessment findings into individualized, realistic rehabilitation goals. Applies oncology-specific frameworks to prioritize safe and meaningful outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Physical Examination in Cancer Patients

Adapts standard physiotherapy examination to oncology precautions and fragility. Ensures safe, thorough assessment of musculoskeletal and neurological status.

Lesson 1 • Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Precautions

Identifies cardiotoxicity signs and respiratory compromise requiring therapy modification. Ensures safe exercise intensity selection for high-risk cardiac patients.

Lesson 2 • Lymphedema and Wound Precautions

Establishes safe practice around lymphatic compromise and surgical or radiation wounds. Prevents iatrogenic harm during manual therapy and exercise.

Lesson 3 • Hematological Safety Parameters

Defines exercise and mobilization thresholds based on blood count values. Prevents adverse events in immunocompromised and thrombocytopenic patients.

Lesson 4 • Medication Effects on Physiotherapy

Reviews how common oncology medications alter physiological responses to exercise. Enables therapists to anticipate and manage drug-related clinical changes.

Lesson 1 • Mind-Body Approaches to Fatigue

Introduces yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques supported by oncology evidence. Expands the physiotherapist's fatigue management toolkit beyond exercise.

Lesson 2 • Pathophysiology of Cancer-Related Fatigue

Explains biological, psychological, and behavioral contributors to fatigue in cancer. Provides the mechanistic rationale for exercise and behavioral interventions.

Lesson 3 • Fatigue Education and Self-Management

Equips patients with knowledge and tools to self-monitor and manage fatigue independently. Builds long-term adherence and reduces reliance on clinical supervision.

Lesson 4 • Energy Conservation Techniques

Teaches activity prioritization and task modification to preserve daily function. Complements exercise by reducing unnecessary energy expenditure.

Lesson 1 • Long-Term Survivorship Exercise Planning

Designs sustainable exercise programs for cancer survivors managing late effects. Addresses transition from supervised to independent community-based exercise.

Lesson 2 • Resistance Training in Oncology

Covers strength training principles adapted for cancer-related muscle loss and bone risk. Teaches safe load progression and exercise selection for diverse patients.

Lesson 3 • Flexibility, Balance, and Neuromotor Training

Addresses range of motion, proprioception, and fall prevention in oncology patients. Integrates neuromotor training to counter neuropathy and deconditioning effects.

Lesson 4 • Prehabilitation Program Design

Structures pre-treatment exercise programs to optimize surgical and treatment readiness. Demonstrates how prehabilitation reduces postoperative complications and recovery time.

Lesson 5 • Aerobic Exercise Prescription

Applies aerobic training principles to cancer populations with individualized intensity guidance. Addresses modality selection, monitoring, and progression strategies.

Lesson 1 • Compression Garment Prescription

Covers garment selection, fitting, and patient education for long-term compression use. Ensures correct garment compliance to maintain CDT treatment gains.

Lesson 2 • Lymphatic System and Lymphedema Pathophysiology

Reviews lymphatic anatomy and the mechanisms by which cancer treatment disrupts drainage. Provides the physiological basis for all lymphedema interventions.

Lesson 3 • Limb Volume Measurement Techniques

Teaches circumferential, water displacement, and bioimpedance measurement methods. Ensures accurate, reproducible documentation of lymphedema severity and change.

Lesson 4 • Lymphedema Risk Assessment and Prevention

Identifies patient-specific risk factors and evidence-based prevention strategies. Enables early intervention before clinical lymphedema develops.

Lesson 1 • Prostate and Pelvic Cancer Rehabilitation

Covers pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and sexual health after pelvic treatment. Teaches pelvic floor muscle training and functional reintegration strategies.

Lesson 2 • Head and Neck Cancer Rehabilitation

Targets trismus, dysphagia, shoulder dysfunction, and lymphedema after head and neck treatment. Applies specialized manual and exercise techniques to restore function.

Lesson 3 • Lung and Thoracic Cancer Rehabilitation

Addresses post-thoracotomy pain, respiratory impairment, and deconditioning. Applies pulmonary rehabilitation principles within an oncology framework.

Lesson 4 • Neurological and Hematological Cancer Rehabilitation

Covers rehabilitation for brain tumors, spinal cord involvement, and hematologic malignancies. Adapts neurological and general rehabilitation to rapidly changing clinical status.

Lesson 1 • Interdisciplinary Palliative Team Collaboration

Defines the physiotherapist's role within the palliative multidisciplinary team. Builds skills for effective care coordination and goal-of-care discussions.

Lesson 2 • Symptom Management in Advanced Cancer

Applies physiotherapy techniques to manage pain, dyspnea, and fatigue in advanced disease. Integrates non-pharmacological strategies within the palliative symptom management plan.

Lesson 3 • Mobility and Function Preservation

Maintains safe mobility and transfers to preserve independence and reduce caregiver burden. Adapts exercise and mobility goals to declining functional capacity.

Lesson 4 • Psychosocial Support and Communication

Equips therapists with communication skills for sensitive conversations in palliative settings. Addresses grief, existential distress, and family-centered care.