title: Neurotoxicity of cancer treatment.
abstract: Cancer therapy--including brain-directed surgery, brain or spine irradiation, or chemotherapy--may affect the nervous system in a deleterious manner, affecting either the central or peripheral nervous systems. The causation of encephalopathy (eg, radiation, chemotherapy) is most relevant for the differential diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, as defining a specific cause determines further treatment and outcome. Peripheral nervous system disorders (ie, steroid myopathy, spindle poison, or platinum neuropathy) are predominantly treatment related and respond best to discontinuation of the neurotoxic agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Avenue E, MS G4-940, POB 10923, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. chambemc@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Marc C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents