Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: clinical features, diagnosis, prevention and treatment strategies

• Published in: Clinical & translational oncology Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 81 - 91
• Main Authors: Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez, Gerardo, Sereno, María, Miralles, Ambrosio, Casado-Sáenz, Enrique, Gutiérrez-Rivas, Eduardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Milan Springer Milan 01.02.2010
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; Dietary Supplements; Educational Series; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Models, Biological; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; Oncology; Peripheral Nervous System - drug effects; Peripheral Nervous System - physiology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - chemically induced; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - prevention & control; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - therapy; Platinum Compounds - adverse effects; Platinum Compounds - pharmacology; Vitamins - therapeutic use; Neuroprotection; Chemotherapy; Pain; Neuropathy; Polyneuropathy; Cancer
• ISSN: 1699-048X; 1699-3055; 1699-3055
• DOI: 10.1007/S12094-010-0474-z

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIN) is a common toxicity of anticancer treatment and its incidence is growing. It significantly affects quality of life and is a dose-limiting factor that interferes with treatment. Its diagnosis can be established in clinical terms but some complementary tests can help when the diagnosis is difficult. There is still no proven method to prevent it that has become a standard of care in spite of the huge amount of investigation carried out in recent years. There are promising strategies that could help reduce the burden of this complication. This review will suggest an approach to the diagnosis of these disorders and provide an update on new therapies.