Published in:
01-01-2010
Neurotoxicity of Cancer Treatment
Author:
Marc C. Chamberlain
Published in:
Current Oncology Reports
|
Issue 1/2010
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Abstract
Cancer therapy—including brain-directed surgery, brain or spine irradiation, or chemotherapy—may affect the nervous system in a deleterious manner, affecting either the central or peripheral nervous systems. The causation of encephalopathy (eg, radiation, chemotherapy) is most relevant for the differential diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, as defining a specific cause determines further treatment and outcome. Peripheral nervous system disorders (ie, steroid myopathy, spindle poison, or platinum neuropathy) are predominantly treatment related and respond best to discontinuation of the neurotoxic agent.