Peripheral neuropathy is the damage that the peripheral nervous system has to undergo as a -result of chemotherapy. The nervous system of our body is divided into two parts: these have been shown in the diagram below:

The peripheral nervous system is located outside the brain and also the spinal cord. These nerves connect the brain and the spinal cord to the other organs of the body. These organs are sensory organs (like the skin, eyes, ears, nose etc) and the other internal organs (like internal organs, muscles, glands and so on). These nerves control the voluntary as well as involuntary reflexes of our body; they send information from the central nervous system to the other parts of the body.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

There are many by causes of neuropathy in chemotherapy; it can be caused by cancer, as a side effect of chemotherapy treatment for cancer, diabetes, infection, trauma, and even alcohol abuse. The various ways in which cancer and the treatments given can cause peripheral neuropathy are as follows:

• Some anti-toxic drugs used for chemotherapy treatment can cause damage to the peripheral nerves like: paclitaxel, cisplatin, vincristine, interferon, thalidomide etoposide, and tenoposide
• If the tumor develops close to a nerve, it can cause peripheral neuropathy, if its growth exerts pressure on that nerve
• Surgery can also cause peripheral neuropathy near the area where the tumor has been resected
• In rare cases, radiotherapy can also damage the nerves in the area where the treatment was given. The symptoms can take several months or years to appear.
• In some rare types of cancers, the body itself produces substances that can harm the nerves. People having lung cancer, myeloma or even lymphoma can have peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy depend on the type of nerves that get affected. It is very common for the cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs to affect the sensory nerves. In some cases it can also have an effect on the autonomic nerves and the motor nerves.

Other common nerves that get affected are the nerves of the hands and feet. This is owing to the fact that the long nerves are very susceptible to injury and the nerves of the hand and feet are very long. Initially the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are very mild, but they tend to be more prominent after sometime.

Some of the symptoms are as follows:

• Numbness in the hands and feet or the affected area. As the nerves of the finger tips and the feet have this sensation when peripheral neuropathy affects a person.
• Patients with peripheral neuropathy can also experience a tingling sensation as if needles or pins in the affected area
• There can be a burning sensation or heaviness in the affected area. The patients might even experience a burning sensation or feel warm when they touch something cold.
• There can be an increased amount of sensitivity in the affected area. The patient can become uncomfortable or even experience pain in that part.
• There can also be pain in the body. This can range from mild to severe. At times patients can feel as if they are being stabbed by sharp objects or they can also have minor electric shocks.
• Patients can have weakness as a result of reduced strength of the muscles. This depends on the part of the muscle that gets affected. They can even have problem in doing tasks like tying shoe laces or buttoning clothes, in which the tips of the fingers are involved.
• There can be problem in the muscle coordination, because of which patients have difficulty in walking and balancing themselves. They can find it difficult to walk on slightly uneven surfaces, and they can also find it difficult to judge the distance between themselves and the objects kept around them.
• Some patients can feel dizzy when they get up suddenly. This can be caused because of damage to the autonomic nerves that also control the nerves of the heart and the blood pressure.
• Some other symptoms include constipation, feeling bloated and in some cases even erectile dysfunction.

Reducing the Risk of Neuropathy in Cancer Patients

Although neuropathy in chemotherapy is a very common side effect of the treatment, you can reduce your risk of having it. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and cereals in your diet. Make sure that you intake at least three liters of with lots of water and juices. If your doctor allows, you can also do some light exercises. Stop drinking alcohol and ask your doctor if you should take any vitamin supplements. Although these supplements might reduce some amount of nerve damage, they should not be consumed without medical advice.

If you already have peripheral neuropathy, and have to undergo chemotherapy treatment, then you should inform this to your doctor, who can give you drugs that do not aggravate neuropathy.

In case you experience the above mentioned symptoms, you should immediately consult your doctors. Strictly follow the instructions given by them and be alert to any changes in the body. Your doctor is the best person to monitor your health where peripheral neuropathy is concerned. They might reduce or cut down the chemotherapy treatment given to you.

Protection for Peripheral Neuropathy

If you do have this problem, always cover the affected areas. For example, if you have numbness in your feet, or hands, wear thick socks or gloves. Do not attempt to walk barefoot. The symptoms can get aggressive in extreme weather conditions. Wear sufficient warm clothes in winter and avoid being exposed to the weather. Avoid coming in contact with very hot or very cold water while having bath or washing clothes.

The effect of peripheral neuropathy is different on every person. Do ask your nurse or doctor what symptoms you should see to get in touch with them immediately.