SIS-13 - Hitting a Nerve! Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, painful adverse effect that can significantly reduce quality of life and may compromise cancer treatment through necessary dose reductions or therapy cessation. Given the potential for the chronicity of CIPN and new or worsening neuropathy after cessation of select chemotherapeutic agents, palliative care and chronic pain practitioners alike should possess a working knowledge of CIPN. To optimally recognize and address acute and chronic chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, knowledge of the risk factors, symptoms, and the natural history of CIPN is needed by all who touch the oncology space, even if just peripherally (pun intended). The prevention and treatment of CIPN is challenging due to limited and often inconsistent evidence...so CIPN can really hit a nerve among providers too! There are several goals of this session: 1) is to ensure healthcare professionals of varied disciplines can identify CIPN and distinguish it from other possible neuropathic syndromes 2) to prepare participants to educate patients on CIPN and 3) to provide participants with clinical knowledge surrounding the management of CIPN to optimize patient outcomes. To achieve these goals, the pathophysiology, time course, and symptoms of CIPN (sensory symptoms as well as motor and autonomic symptoms) of the major chemotherapeutic offenders will be reviewed. Management approaches for CIPN in general and for select chemotherapeutic agents will be detailed with a focus on potential pharmacotherapy strategies for prevention and treatment of CIPN. Throughout the session, patient cases will be used to apply concepts and to illustrate possible management approaches.