Characteristics of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer.

Abstract

85 Background: In Brazil, breast cancer has the second highest incidence of neoplasms, the most common among women. It is expected there will be 57,120 new cases and a risk 56.09 cases per 100 thousand women. For its treatment, neurotoxic chemotherapeutics that can cause chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) are used. Methods: This is an exploratory descriptive study developed in a cancer treatment reference hospital in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Aim: To search the patients with breast cancer during treatment with neurotoxic agents and evaluate the presence of CIPN with application of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool questionnaire (CIPNAT). Results: The sample was 44 women with a mean age of 52 years (SD = 10.54), 47.7% had local disease, 72.7% were treating with taxanes neurotoxic agents. The main neuropathic symptoms measured at CIPNAT: 75% had motor symptom weakness with an average score for severity of 6.45 causing an average of distress 5.36; 65.9% muscle and joint pain average severity of 6.31 causing an average of 5.59 distress; and 56.8% sensitive symptom numbness in the hands average severity of 4.76 causing an average of 3.52 distress. These symptoms had a negative impact in the activities of daily living (ADL) such as physical exercise (mean score = 5.32), enjoyment of life (mean score = 4.77) and leisure activities (mean score = 4, 03). Although few (13.6%) reported that suffered some injury or accident due to CIPN. Discussion: The results are consistent with those presented in the scientific literature, but measured with other assessment tools such as the NCI CTCAE, WHO and EORTC QLQ-C30 and CIPN20, which also showed that motor disorders (weakness, muscle cramps and loss of strength in the hands) and sensory (numbness and tingling in the hands and feet). Conclusions: The study explores the relationship between CIPN and ADL affected during treatment for breast cancer. Through the motor and sensory symptoms reported by CIPNAT, nursing will have grant to develop educational strategies to prevent and minimize negative impacts on the quality of life of women with breast cancer undergoing treatment with neurotoxic agents.