Is chemotherapy-induced neuropathy common with Paclitaxel?

Question

Hello Doctor,

My aunt, who is 58 years old, has been taking chemotherapy for her endometrial cancer using Carboplatin and Paclitaxel.

After some cycles, she started feeling numbness and tingling sensation in her feet and hands and was getting worse.

We were very concerned when we came across nerve damage and cases similar to Carboplatin and Taxol with severe neuropathy at 58. Now, my aunt is having trouble balancing when she walks and occasionally lets go of things she is holding in her hands.

Does chemotherapy-related neuropathy happen often with these drugs?

Also we would like to know if this condition is temporary after the end of the treatment or if it becomes permanent.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I have gone through your query and understood your problem.

Chemotherapy causes peripheral neuropathy as an adverse reaction, with Paclitaxel being the most common cause, followed by Carboplatin. The peripheral nerves will be affected, and there might be sensations like numbness, tingling, burning of hands and feet, and trouble with balance or coordination.

It is a fairly frequent occurrence in chemotherapy and dose-dependent, meaning that the symptoms will worsen with more chemotherapy.

In most cases, the condition caused by chemotherapy neuropathy is usually either partially or wholly reversible when the treatment is decreased or finished. In some people, depending on the level or the duration of the symptoms, the healing process may take time and may not be wholly healed.

Prompt detection is necessary since the treating oncologist can think about adjusting the dosage or changing the treatment in order to stop the worsening of symptoms.

There are supportive therapy techniques, which include taking vitamin B complex and medications like Gabapentin, and physical safety steps because of possible balance problems.

Under proper management, the majority of the patients gradually recover from the condition after chemotherapy.

I hope that my reply was useful for you. Feel free to contact me at iCliniq for more information.

Thank you.