Chemotherapy-induced peripheral polyneuropathy in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer overall, the most common cancer in women, and a leading cause of death in women. The incidence of brain metastases has increased due to longer patient survival. Thus, chemotherapy for breast cancer has significantly increased promising a positive outcome. However, long-term and repeated chemotherapy leads to involvement of the peripheral nervous system by creating clinical issues dominated by peripheral neuropathy and cognitive changes.

This literature review assesses the negative neurological effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

The review discusses neuropathic pain mechanisms, primarily neuroimmune and inflammatory changes, ion-channel remodeling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic predisposition. The review gives advice on the prevention of peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain in breast cancer patients. It shows the relationship of chemotherapy and deteriorated quality of life, where special attention should be paid to early detection and treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral polyneuropathy to improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients.

With advances in pharmacology, the introduction of targeted therapy and its combinations, especially those involving epidermal growth factor receptor 2, the survival potential of breast cancer patients increases, but there are risks of more frequent neurological complications, primarily peripheral neuropathy and cognitive changes.