| Abstract: |
As the outcomes for many cancers have improved, treatment-related toxicities and their impact on quality of life have become a more important part of oncologic care. Numerous chemotherapy regimens are associated with undesirable effects on the nervous system, often requiring modification of the treatment plan or even discontinuation of the offending drug. This chapter explores the neurotoxicities associated with certain chemotherapeutic agents, focusing on those that produce frequent or unique neurological complications; only cytotoxic treatments are reviewed, since targeted therapies and immunotherapies are discussed elsewhere. Drugs affecting predominantly the central nervous system are presented first, followed by the most common sources of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. A description of the clinical characteristics and, when available, diagnostic and treatment strategies are included, to provide the reader with tools to recognize and manage these complications. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020. |
