Therapy of breast cancer with the taxane paclitaxel may be associated with a peripheral neuropathy. It can affect more than half of patients treated and may be associated with significant morbidity for the patient.
Risk factors for increased severity of peripheral neuropathy:
(1) diabetes mellitus
(2) weekly therapy with paclitaxel, especially for doses of 100 mg per square meter
(3) concurrent therapy with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
While the neuropathy usually reverses after discontinuing paclitaxel, in some patients this may be delayed and incomplete.
Risk factors for delayed recovery following paclitaxel discontinuation:
(1) diabetes mellitus
(2) Grade 2 or 3 neuropathy (vs Grade 1)
(3) concurrent therapy with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)
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