Oncological Rehabilitation and Cancer Survivorship

tic aspect at an early stage after completion of cancer therapy. In addition to the psychological consequences of cancer, the focus is set on somatic disorders as long-term consequences of cancer treatment, such as cytotoxic-induced polyneuropathy, cognitive dysfunction, chronic fatigue, impairment of sexuality and fertility as well as cardiotoxicities. The authors point out in their contribution the importance of these disorders for the patients, as well as the therapeutic options in the context of cancer survivorship. The manuscript by Seifart and Schmielau [5] describes the importance of oncological rehabilitation for employment. Although approximately 70% of patients return to work, many of them are affected by changes at the workplace and financial losses. Patients often experience the financial burden as heavier than the physical and psychological consequences of cancer. As a result, there is further strain on the social and psychological situation, the development of poverty, which leads to a decrease in participation in community life and an increase in mortality. In addition to the severe individual consequences for the patient, this will also incur costs for employers and the social insurance funds. These include costs for the treatment of mental suffering, long periods of incapacity to work, and the partial or complete withdrawal from the labor market, which results in drawing a full-rate reduced earning capacity pension. This shall be avoided by using the instruments for participation in working life (LTAs), mainly funded by the DRV, and the possibilities offered by oncological rehabilitation. The reviews in this issue of Oncology Research and Treatment highlight the fundamental importance of oncological rehabilitation for children, adolescents, and young adults who have survived cancer. It is clear that oncological rehabilitation is highly important for a good start to the long-term care of cancer patients, and that further efforts are needed in order to combine these elements to an even greater extent.