Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer Treatments – Oncology Rehabilitation

Oncology Rehabilitation for Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer

As part of our continued effort to treat the whole person, not just the illness, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers an Oncology Rehabilitation Program to promote your physical and cognitive functioning. Consisting of activities like cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training, the program aims to help you reduce stress, prevent fatigue, and improve your overall quality of life during extrahepatic bile duct cancer treatment.

The oncology rehabilitation services team at CTCA consists of physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), speech and language pathologists, and massage therapists. Our team strives to educate you about the physical and psychological benefits of physical fitness during cancer care.

Therapy highlights of CTCA physical rehabilitation services include:

Physical Evaluation

During your extrahepatic bile duct cancer treatment and prior to initiating therapy, the rehabilitation team at CTCA will first conduct a thorough physical evaluation. Part of this initial evaluation consists of a functional assessment that measures your ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs).

Motion for Life:  Physical Therapy / Exercise Program

At CTCA, we strive to help you become more physically capable, active and strong. Exercise—even minimal physical exertion—increases heart rate and muscle flexion, while boosting the body’s tolerance to conventional extrahepatic bile duct cancer treatments. Our rehabilitation therapy team will work with you to develop a customized physical therapy/exercise program that is right for you.

Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) – The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion helps therapists determine the intensity of exercise you can tolerate. The scale ranges from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). Since the condition of each person is unique, the Borg system measures “exercise” as any activity that increases heart rate. Most people achieve 65 to 75 percent of their maximum heart rate during exercise.

Flexibility Program – Stretching is a beneficial activity that may help relieve joint stiffness and pain, while at the same time improving your overall mobility and range-of-motion. The benefits of stretching include:

• Enhancement of performance in everyday activities
• Improvement of mobility and independence
• Improvement and maintenance of posture and muscle balance
• Injury prevention
• Promotion of physical and mental relaxation

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists at CTCA deliver quality of life programs. By studying you as you interact with your day-to-day surroundings, occupational therapists assess physical mobility and will teach you how to address, and adapt to, any physical limitations resultant from extrahepatic bile duct cancer treatment. Quality of life programs include help with showering, dressing, eating and toileting. 

Speech and Language Pathology

Speech and language pathologists provide a dual role in the rehabilitation services department.  They teach speech therapy and troubleshoot any swallowing problems that may limit your ability to consume food. If left untreated, an improper swallowing mechanism can create a condition known as aspiration—when food falls into the lung. Speech and language pathologists at CTCA will work with the nutrition team and Food Services to thicken or puree food to the consistency you may require.

Manual Therapy

Massage therapy is one means of manual muscle therapy. If you require massage therapy as part of your extrahepatic bile duct cancer treatment, you will first obtain a referral from either a physical or occupational therapist. Some forms of manual therapies we provide at CTCA include Swedish massage, reflexology, and myofascial release.

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