CN99 - Nursing management of cancer treatment related peripheral neuropathy

Background

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) remains a significant challenge in cancer treatment, impacting both the quality of life and treatment outcomes of patients. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and often debilitating side effect of many chemotherapy agents, including platinum compounds, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, proteasome inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, biologic agents and hormonal therapy drugs among others. It presents as a spectrum of sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms, ranging from tingling and numbness to severe pain and functional impairment.

Methods

We narrative rewied the literature, purpose of to to underline the importance of precise, early and individualized management of CIPN, based on new evidence-based practice protocols and therapies.

Results

Management of CIPN remains complicated and demand a multidisciplinary therapy including cancer nurses, oncologists, neurologists, dietitians and pain specialists. The most common therapy approaches are both pharmacologist and non-pharmacologist interventions. Dose modification using “stop and go” technique is totally necessary for patients with high risk of developing CIPN, resulting in better management of CIPN. Refer to, pharmacological interventions, many studies have shown the need and many benefits using antidepressants (duloxetine, amitriptyline, imipramine, venlafaxine), antiepileptic drugs (gabapentin, pregabalin, phenyntoin), topical agents (lidocaine patches, capsaicine crème, baclofen, amitryptiline, ketamine) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids. Nevertheless, no pharmacologists interventions include complementary and alternative medicine. Also, food supplements such us B12, Magnesium, Calcium and Glutathione would be beneficial for CIPN management.

Conclusions

Interdisciplinary approach is certainly indivisible part of CIPN management. Both, symptoms and supportive individualized care, can result in better outcomes, increasing patients’ overall quality of life. Additionally, integrating expertise cancer nurses into the management of CIPN is a huge challenge for every day clinical practice.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.