IRC Question of
the Month
| 
Q: I
have gotten a side effect from chemotherapy
called peripheral neuropathy, are there any
treatments for this condition, as it affects my
daily
life?
A:
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the term
for damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous
system, which transmits information from the
brain and spinal cord to other parts of the
body. PN is estimated to affect 10 to 20 percent
of people with cancer and can be caused by
certain chemotherapeutic agents, such as
vincristine (Oncovin®), bortezomib (Velcade®),
thalidomide (Thalomid®), lenalidomide
(Revlimid®), cytarabine (Cytosar-U®), interferon
(multiple brand names) or methotrexate (multiple
brand names). Radiation therapy may cause nerve
injury, although it may take several years for
symptoms to appear. Shingles, a rash that may
develop in people with weakened immune systems,
may also result in neuropathy. PN may also be a
symptom of certain diseases, such as myeloma.
Some causes of PN are not associated with
cancer. PN may be inherited or it can be a
symptom of certain diseases or conditions. It is
important to let your doctor know if you already
have symptoms of neuropathy before starting
treatment, or if you have any of the conditions
that are associated with PN, including diabetes,
nerve compression caused by vertebral fractures
or vitamin deficiencies, particularly folate or
vitamin B12, autoimmune diseases,
such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis,
hypothyroidism or kidney disease.
While a person is undergoing cancer
treatment, his or her doctor may give prescribe
certain medications and/or vitamins to help
prevent neuropathy. Be sure to talk with your
doctor before starting any over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, or supplements on your
own. Patients should seek medical advice as soon
as possible if they experience numbness,
tingling, burning, coldness or weakness in the
arms or legs. These may be symptoms of PN.
With medical advice, patients who develop PN
as a result of chemotherapy may be helped by
taking a reduced dosage of the prescribed drugs
or stopping the drugs completely.
Treatment-caused PN may gradually decrease after
treatment is completed. In some cases, the
symptoms may persist. Other therapies for
PN depend on its cause and related symptoms.
Many people recover fully from the disorder over
time, whether it is in a few months or a few
years. Sometimes, the condition may be more
difficult to cure and may require long-term
management. Your doctor will work to diagnose
and eliminate the cause of your neuropathy and
manage symptoms.
These safety tips from the American
Society of Clinical Oncology at Cancer.Net
may help people with PN who have sensory or
motor difficulties to avoid injury at home:
- Keep all rooms, hallways, and stairways well
lit.
- Install handrails on both sides of
stairways.
- Remove small area rugs and any other clutter
that you could trip over or slip on.
- Install grab bars in the shower or handgrips
in the tub, and lay down skid-free mats.
- Use a thermometer to check that any water
you bathe in or use is below 110 degrees
Fahrenheit, or set your water heater
accordingly.
- Clean up any spilled water or liquids
immediately.
- Use non-breakable dishes.
- Use potholders while cooking and rubber
gloves when washing dishes.
- If you drive, make sure you can fully feel
the gas and brake pedals, and the steering
wheel, and that you can quickly move your foot
from the gas to the brake.
- If prescribed, use a cane or walker when
moving from one room to the
other .
Please call our
Information Resource Center (IRC) to speak with
a trained information specialist. IRC staff are
available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6
p.m. ET, toll free at (800) 955-4572. Contact
us online or click the "Live
Patient Help" button on the www.LLS.org
homepage.
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