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Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathies Updated 4/2010

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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Pathophysiology
  • Etiology
  • General Prevention
  • Associated Conditions

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Interventional
  • Rehabilitation
  • Mental Health/Behavioral
  • Surgery
  • Special Therapy

Follow-up

  • Prognosis
  • Patient Monitoring
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
  • Chemotherapy may cause peripheral neurotoxicity, consisting mainly of a peripheral neuropathy, and/or central neurotoxicity, ranging from minor cognitive deficits to encephalopathy with dementia or even coma.
  • The induction of peripheral neuropathy is a common factor in limiting therapy with chemotherapeutic drugs.
  • Little is known about the mechanisms responsible for the development of neuropathy. Depending on the substance used, a pure sensory and painful neuropathy or a mixed sensorimotor neuropathy with or without involvement of the autonomic nervous system can ensue. Besides bone marrow suppression and renal toxicity, neuropathies are very often the reason for stopping or changing chemotherapeutic agents.
  • Effects can become evident with a long delay following cessation of therapy.
  • The vinca-alkaloids (vincristine, for hematologic ...

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