Chemotherapy Can Lead To Nerve Damage Called The Peripheral Neuropathy, Know What It Means

Many of those who are diagnosed with cancer undergo chemotherapy, an experience that though, is life-saving, but causes severe pain. A new study published in the Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine found that patients undergoing chemo therapy experience severe nerve pain and that 40% of chemotherapy-treated patients develop painful peripheral neuropathy.

What happens in Peripheral Neuropathy?

The peripheral nervous system sends information to the brain and the spinal cord, also known as the central nervous system, to the rest of the body through motor nerves. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system through sensory nerves.

Under this condition, which can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, or could be inherited due to exposure to toxins, people may experience stabbing, burning, or tingling pain.

The symptoms too can vary on the person and the severity of the case:

• Sensory nerves that receive sensation can be damaged, for instance the nerves that tells you about temperature, pain, vibration or touch.
• Motor nerves that control muscle movement could be damaged.
• Autoionic nerves that control functions like blood pressure, sweating, heart rate, digestion, or bladder function could be damaged too.

What Is Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when chemotherapy drugs damage nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This can disrupt normal nerve signaling, causing symptoms like:

• Tingling or numbness
• Burning or "pins and needles" sensations
• Weakness
• Loss of balance and coordination

This condition is not just temporary discomfort—it can persist for months or even years after treatment, significantly impacting a patient's quality of life.

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Who Are At Risk?

• The researchers after reviewing data from 77 studies which involved 11,000 patients across 28 countries found that those who are prescribed platinum-based and taxane chemotherapy drugs carry the highest risk of nerve pain.

Lung cancer patients too are most affected. The study showed that more than 62% who developed neuropathy, were likely due to frequent and prolonged chemo cycles.

Furthermore, the study also found that people with ovarian cancer, around 32% and lymphoma around 36% had the lowest reported risk.

But, why does this happen?

The reason is that while chemotherapy is actually designed to target cancer cells, it damages healthy cells too. These include healthy cells in nervous system. Chemotherapy kills cells that are in the process of dividing into 2 new cells. It also damages the genes inside the nucleus, which is the reason why it targets all and any cells which are in process of dividing into two. The exact mechanism behind nerve pain is however unclear, though the researchers believe that chemotherapy may alter nerve signaling in ways that could lead to chronic pain.

The Way Forward

The study highlights an urgent need for research into how chemotherapy causes nerve damage and how to prevent or manage it. Scientists are now focusing on potential therapies to protect nerves while ensuring cancer treatments remain effective.

For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, discussing potential nerve pain risks with their doctor—and exploring possible preventative measures—may help improve long-term outcomes.