Review Article
Clinical Assessment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: The Road Less Traveled
Constance Visovsky, PhD, RN, APRN-BC
From the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, Omaha, NE.
The author has no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Correspondence to: Constance Visovsky, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5330. E-mail: cvisovsky@unmc.edu.
J Adv Pract Oncol 2010;1:31–38 |
DOI: 10.6004/jadpro.2010.1.1.4 |
© 2010 Harborside Press
ABSTRACT
The cornerstone of treatment for many cancers includes chemotherapy agents known to induce peripheral neuropathy. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a potential side effect of treatment for which few patients are prepared. CIPN continues to pose challenges to heatlh care providers for a variety of reasons, including a lack of gold-standard clinical- or laboratory-based assessments and variable clinical presentation. Advanced oncology practitioners are in an ideal position to provide baseline and ongoing clinical assessments. These assessments can be used as a supplement to toxicity-grading scales to provide comprehensive documentation about the functioning of the peripheral nervous system and the effects of cancer therapies on activities of daily living and quality of life. Patient-reported symptoms and clinical examinations such as testing for deep tendon reflexes, touch, vibration, and proprioception can assist in determining the tolerability and safety of cancer treatment for at-risk patients.
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