Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) - determinants in the diagnosis and treatment of persistent pain

Abstract

Chemotherapy can cause nerve pain with tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. This is called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). - Oncologists, neurologists, and pain specialists all see room for improvement in the use of guidelines, collaboration, referral, and education (for patients with) CIPN. - Acute symptoms can also have a major impact on patients' lives. They find it important to receive good information about this. - There are many ways to examine CIPN, but simple questions and examinations are almost always sufficient. - Special pepper patches ('capsaicin') provide a significant reduction in nerve pain in the feet for some patients. - A new treatment via an IV with lidocaine, given at the same time as the chemotherapy, might improve CIPN symptoms. Why this is important: With proper attention to CIPN, existing symptoms can be (partially) treated. This reduces their impact on daily life and could improve the chemotherapy treatment.