Current methods for the assessment and management of taxane-related neuropathy.
Taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN) affects a number of patients with breast cancer. To properly manage these patients, nurses must be able to identify and assess TIPN, as well as educate patients on TIPN as a side effect of taxane therapy. This article provides practical suggestions regarding how nurses can incorporate clinically feasible measurement approaches into practice and includes examples of grading TIPN that illustrate the limitations of the current tools and techniques for assessment. For example, a shortened and revised version of the Total Neuropathy Score and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity subscale should be considered for future use. In addition, neuropathy-related results from numerous phase III trials in breast cancer are discussed, and the latest evidence regarding pharmacologic interventions for TIPN is briefly summarized.
School of Nursing, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, USA. ellenls@umich.edu
Ellen M Lavoie
EM
Smith
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D043823:Taxoids