Abstract
The cornerstone of treatment for many cancers includes chemotherapy agents known to induce peripheral neuropathy. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a potential side effect of treatment for which few patients are prepared. CIPN continues to pose challenges to heatlh care providers for a variety of reasons, including a lack of gold-standard clinical- or laboratory-based assessments and variable clinical presentation. Advanced oncology practitioners are in an ideal position to provide baseline and ongoing clinical assessments. These assessments can be used as a supplement to toxicity-grading scales to provide comprehensive documentation about the functioning of the peripheral nervous system and the effects of cancer therapies on activities of daily living and quality of life. Patient-reported symptoms and clinical examinations such as testing for deep tendon reflexes, touch, vibration, and proprioception can assist in determining the tolerability and safety of cancer treatment for at-risk patients.
