If you have been treated for breast cancer, especially chemotherapy, you may have experienced a slight numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, or a strange sensation, such as a burning sensation. Sometimes you may not know what it is. In fact, this can be a common side effect of treatment. Today we are talking about this condition called Peripheral Neuropathy . Don't be afraid, the most important thing is to be aware of this.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy? How common is it?
Simply put, Peripheral Neuropathy is damage to one or more of the peripheral nerves in our body. These nerves carry sensation (feelings) and commands from the brain to our arms, legs, and other parts of the body. When these nerves are damaged, the symptoms mentioned earlier, such as numbness, tingling, and pain, appear.
This condition is very common in chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer, especially those in the taxane class. For example, one study found that about 40% of people treated with these taxane drugs, or four in ten, still had these symptoms two years after treatment. And another study found that about one in five people who received this treatment developed this condition.
That means if you're feeling this way, you're not alone. This is a common condition for many people. The most important thing is to talk to your doctor about it.
This condition can occur after treatment for any stage of breast cancer. Sometimes, when the cancer has spread (advanced), the cancer itself can put pressure on the nerves, causing this condition, Peripheral Neuropathy. Not only chemo, but also some surgeries and radiation treatments can cause this condition.
Why does this happen with Taxane type chemo drugs?
There are several types of chemotherapy drugs that belong to the taxane class.
- Albumin Paclitaxel (Abraxane)
- Docetaxel (Taxotere)
- Paclitaxel (Taxol)
Your doctor may give you one of these or a combination of them with other chemo drugs .
Simply put, these taxane drugs stop cancer cells from dividing. Cancer cells are cells that divide very quickly. So these drugs control that speed. But in this process, researchers believe that healthy peripheral nerve cells in our body may also be affected. This is still being researched.
What are the symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy?
These symptoms can vary depending on the nerve that is affected. But they usually start in the toes. Then they can gradually spread up the legs, into the arms, and up the hands. If you have any of these symptoms, it is very important to tell your doctor about them without delay.
| Characteristic type | Description |
|---|---|
| Most common symptoms | |
| Numbness | A feeling of "ants running" or being pricked by needles. |
| Decreased sensation | Legs feel "jelly-like" and weak. You can't feel the ground properly when you walk. |
| Muscle weakness | Weakness in limbs, difficulty lifting objects. |
| Pain or inflammation | Constant or occasional severe pain or inflammation. |
| Difficulty using hands | Difficulty holding small objects, buttoning clothes, and writing. |
| Other possible symptoms | |
| Various difficulties | Jaw pain, hearing loss, loss of balance when walking, constipation, difficulty swallowing, changes in blood pressure. |
These symptoms can appear within hours or days after a round of chemo. But most often they appear a few weeks later. Some symptoms may improve over time. However, severe symptoms may never go away completely.
What are the risk factors that contribute to this condition?
In addition to chemotherapy, several other factors can increase the risk of developing this condition, including peripheral neuropathy.
- Cancer that has spread throughout the body (Metastatic breast cancer)
- Growing older
- Having a neurological disorder prior to treatment
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Vitamin deficiencies (especially B vitamins)
- Having previously received chemotherapy treatment
- Alcohol use
In addition to taxanes, other chemo drugs such as platinum drugs (e.g. oxaliplatin) and vinca alkaloids (e.g. vincristine) can also cause this condition.
What can we do to control the symptoms?
There is currently no cure for peripheral neuropathy, nor is there a cure for it once it occurs. However, there are many things you can do to reduce the discomfort caused by the symptoms and make life easier.
The most important thing is to talk openly with your doctor about your concerns. Then he can give you the best solution.
Your doctor may recommend the following to help manage your symptoms:
- Medications for depression: Medications for nerve pain, such as Duloxetine, help some people.
- Steroids: These help reduce pain and discomfort in the short term.
- Numbing creams: You can get temporary relief by applying creams or patches to the painful areas.
- Painkillers: If you have severe nerve pain, your medical team may prescribe opioid painkillers.
Additionally, you can talk to your doctor about treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture.
It's important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms regularly. He or she can then make changes to your treatment plan to prevent long-term damage. For example:
- Chemotherapy dose reduction
- Delaying treatment for a while
- Stopping the medication for a while until your symptoms subside
Take-Home Message
- Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy. You don't have to deal with this alone.
- Notify your doctor immediately of any new symptoms, such as numbness, pain, burning, or weakness in your limbs.
- If you are aware of these symptoms early, your doctor can change your treatment plan and minimize any long-term damage to your nerves.
- There is no need to suffer with these discomforts. There are various ways to manage the symptoms. So discuss everything with your doctor.
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