Neurologic complications of cancer drug therapies.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to review neurologic complications associated with systemic anticancer therapies.


RESULTS
Although neurologic complications from traditional chemotherapies are well described, most neurologists are less familiar with complications from agents that target specific pathways or receptors. This article also reviews the most common neurologic adverse effects associated with newer targeted agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with cancer are living longer because of earlier diagnoses and remarkable improvements in treatments. Unfortunately, both traditional chemotherapies and newer targeted agents are known to cause neurologic symptoms that can impact quality of life and play a role in limiting potential treatments. Acute, subacute, and chronic syndromes may affect the central or peripheral nervous system. Since treatments for therapy-induced neurotoxicity are limited, awareness of common neurologic complications is important to prevent permanent damage.
Center for Neuro-oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. eqlee@partners.org
Eudocia Quant
EQ
Lee
Isabel C
IC
Arrillaga-Romany
Patrick Y
PY
Wen
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents