title: Cancer treatment-related neuropathic pain syndromes--epidemiology and treatment: an update.
abstract: Cancer treatment-related chronic neuropathic pain (NP) is a pervasive and distressing problem that negatively influences function and quality of life for countless cancer survivors. It occurs because of cancer treatment-induced damage to peripheral and central nervous system structures. NP becomes chronic when pain signal transmission persists, eventually sensitizing neurons in the dorsal horn and other pain-processing regions in the central nervous system. Frequently overlooked, NP due to cancer treatment has been understudied. Consequently, only a few pharmacologic interventions have been shown to be effective based on the results of randomized controlled trials. Future research designed to explore pathophysiologic mechanisms and effective mechanism-targeted interventions is sorely needed.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA, ellenls@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Ellen M Lavoie
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Celia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kanzawa
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knoerl
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berezovsky
authors.forename: Charis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents