Abstract:

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a serious side effect of chemotherapeutic agents used in cancer treatment. Neuropathy symptoms, which gradually worsen with chemotherapy treatments, can damage the sensory-motor-autonomic regions of the peripheral nervous system. The aim of this review is to draw attention to the role of nurses who care for children receiving cancer treatment in the evaluation of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy has symptoms such as numbness in the hands and feet, tingling, muscle/joint pain, burning sensation, decreased peripheral reflexes, and constipation. These symptoms negatively affect the daily life and quality of life of children. The incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy varies depending on the type of cancer and the chemotherapy agent used. Vincristine, cisplatin, taxane-based chemotherapeutic agents are known to develop peripheral neuropathy. Although peripheral neuropathies caused by some chemotherapeutic agents decrease after chemotherapy treatment is completed, peripheral neuropathy findings caused by some drugs continue for a long time. It is important for nurses to know the chemotherapy agents that cause peripheral neuropathy. Pediatric nurses working in the hematology-oncology service should use measurement tools that can objectively evaluate the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in children. Neuropathy assessment should become a routine in nursing care. In Turkey, there is no measurement tool that evaluates chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. It is important to introduce peripheral neuropathy measurement tools into our language, nurses to know the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (sensory, functional and autonomic symptoms such as tingling in the hands and feet, buttoning up, difficulty in going up and down stairs, staggering while walking, physical examination findings including decrease in muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes) and to evaluate neuropathy with neuropathy assessment tools. In the management of peripheral neuropathy, there are many non-pharmacological approaches such as acupuncture, reflexology, massage, footbath, cryotherapy, scrambler therapy, progressive muscle relaxation exercises, and physical activity but the evidence is still inadequate. More clinical based studies are needed for the evaluation and management of neuropathy.

Keywords: