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Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Essay

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Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy can present itself in many ways. Patients may experience heightened sensation, absence of sensation, or a combination of the two (TOFTHAGEN). It can be very painful for some patients. Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy can persist for six to eight months after the final chemotherapy treatment. According to Bak et. al., 40% of patients will show no signs of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy after this time period. However, there is a small percentage of patient who will continue to experience the symptoms of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy as a long term issue, even years after their chemotherapy treatments have ended (BAK). There are different types of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy: sensory neuropathy, motor neuropathy, and autonomic neuropathy. Sensory neuropathy is what most would think of when discussing neuropathic symptoms. This includes the feelings of numbness and tingling that can lead to burning sensations. Many describe this feeling as “pins and needles”. Motor neuropathy is related to feelings of muscles weakness and loss of control, which can lead to decreased coordination. Finally, autonomic neuropathy presents itself with symptoms of abdominal …show more content…

These symptoms of numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness frequently prevent the patient from performing their everyday activities, due to impaired ability to function in their environment. Some patients may lose their ability to continue working if they have a job that requires the use of their hands for fine motor movement. If a patient is unable to perform their everyday responsibilities, such as their occupation, it can lead them to experience economic burdens. These problems will only continue to progress further as they complete the rest of their treatment of cancer without bringing in any income.

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