Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer: How Cancer Treatment Affects the Peripheral Nervous System?

Posted by entri in Uncategorized

Cancer is one of the most leading causes of death in the world; in fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 595,930 deaths last 2015 in America due to cancer. But, what really happens to treatment is something that should also be talked about – the peripheral neuropathy in cancer treatment.

The peripheral neuropathy is a result of a damaged nerve in the peripheral nervous system. In chemotherapy, the peripheral nervous system is often affected, causing tolerable to extreme pain; which is why undergoing chemotherapy can be very difficult for cancer patients. Fortunately, due to medical discoveries and advances, there is a solution to neuropathy. If you want to know more about it, The Neuropathy Solution Solves Your Neuropathy Pain (Uncovered Review) will help you fight off neuropathy while you are on your journey of battling cancer. Also, by understanding the whole process in chemotherapy will also help you on your journey against cancer. So, how can a cancer treatment affect the peripheral nervous system?

According to medical experts, the drugs used in chemotherapy are responsible for peripheral neuropathy. These drugs are:

• Vinca Alkaloids

Vinblastine and Vincristine are the common clinical compounds of Vinca Alkaloids. Specifically, these are cytotoxic drugs that help inhibit the cancer cells to divide. In most cases, these drugs causes, regular to severe nausea, constipation, body malaise, and loss of appetite.

• Platinum Drugs

Platinum-based drugs such as, Cisplatin and Oxaliplatin are one of the most powerful and largely used anti-cancer drugs that kills the cancer cells by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA and damaging the DNA. However, due to the level of its toxicity, the patient may experience, hair loss, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, mouth ulcers, body malaise, fatigue, bruising, easy bleeding, and at high risk of infection.

• Taxane Drugs

The taxane drugs such as paclitaxel and docetaxel inhibit the division of cancer cells. According to its medical description, the Taxane drugs are programmed to stimulate apoptosis or killing of cells. However, same with other chemo drugs, the Taxane may cause anemia, bruising, high risk of infection, mild to severe vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, and permanent to temporary muscle and joint pain.

• Etoposide

VePesid, Toposar, VP-16, and the Etopophos are the common form of Etoposide chemotherapy drugs. These drugs are used to block the enzyme known as “topoisomerase 2”, which is responsible for cancer cell division.

In the effect of the drug, the patient may suffer from bleeding gums, black and coffee colored stool, blood in the stool and urine, chest pain, fever, cough, chills, ulcer, sore throat, unexplained bruising and bleeding, body malaise, and more. There are other more important drugs that are used to treat cancer and have significant effects on patient’s immune system. But, how can you relieve the peripheral neuropathy? Below are the top and simple ways to alleviate pain caused by peripheral neuropathy:

• Protect the sensitive areas; for instance, the patient must wear footwear
• Always wear clothes that are warm in cold weather and light dress during hot weather.
• Use lotions and creams o Lightly massage areas that feel numb

Check out some effective programs against neuropathy with Neuropathy Programs’ websites now.