Peripheral Nervous System
Introduction
Long term damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral neuropathy) after treatment for cancer is usually due to therapeutic/chemotherapy agents.
This complication can be associated with:
- Vincristine
- Cisplatinum
- Paclitaxel (Taxol)
- Thalidomide (used as anti-angiogenic agent)
Peripheral nerve damage can also occur after surgery or direct damage from a tumor pushing on a nerve.
It would be very unusual to see peripheral neuropathy after radiation therapy (RT) as peripheral nerves are relatively radioresistant.
Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:
- Burning or numbness in the hands and feet
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
- Sharp shooting pains
- Loss of balance and/or coordination
- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle weakness
Pain from chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy can seriously affect patient's quality of life1.
