Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Pediatric Cancer Patients

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathies (CIPNs) are an increasingly common neuropathic and pain syndrome in adult and pediatric cancer patients and survivors [1–69]. However, symptoms associated with CIPNs are often undiagnosed, under-assessed, and communications problems between clinicians, family members, and patients have been observed [70–73]. Less is known about the prevalence and impact of CIPNs on pediatric cancer populations [70–71]. This article aims to provide a brief understanding of CIPNs in pediatric populations, and to review the evidence for both its prevention and treatment.

Pediatric Chronic Pain: Biopsychosocial Assessment and Formulation

“…17,18 However, the incidence of neurotoxicity reportedly ranges from 3% to 13% in studies of pediatric patients with cancer to ∼35% in pediatric patients treated specifically for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 19 Interestingly, there can be a striking disconnect between clinically active disease and experienced pain. In children with polyarticular arthritis, 76% reported pain on >60% of days, despite apparent successful suppression of inflammation by treatment with methotrexate, tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, or both.…”

Association of Standardized Tracheostomy Care Protocol Implementation and Reinforcement With the Prevention of Life-Threatening Respiratory Events

“…11 Many hospitals have developed methods to teach various health care providers how to care for patients who received tracheostomy with a variety of resources. 12,13 Suctioning care prevents the development of mucus obstruction. However, standardized guidelines for tracheostomy suctioning do not exist, and the policies vary between institutions.…”

Patient‐reported neuropathic pain in adolescent and young adult cancer patients

“…The painDETECT responses yield a total score from 0 to 38. A score of 0-12 indicates that a neuropathic pain component is not present, [13][14][15][16][17][18] indicates that there is probably neuropathic pain, and [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] indicates that neuropathic pain is definitively present. 28 Our primary outcome was defined as the proportion of patients with evidence of neuropathic pain, or a painDETECT score of ≥13.…”

“…In pediatric cancer patients, neuropathic pain is predominantly therapy‐related . The most common chemotherapies associated with neuropathic pain in children are the vinca alkaloids, platinums, taxanes, and bortezomib . In contrast, neuropathic pain in adult cancer patients is more commonly due to nerve compression by the tumor itself …”

“…5 The most common chemotherapies associated with neuropathic pain in children are the vinca alkaloids, platinums, taxanes, and bortezomib. 1,2,[4][5][6][19][20][21] In contrast, neuropathic pain in adult cancer patients is more commonly due to nerve compression by the tumor itself. 7 Neuropathic pain occurs in 20-40% of adult cancer patients, 7,22,23 with female gender, older age, non-Hispanic white race, vincristine treatment, and surgical resection considered to be risk factors for neuropathic pain development.…”