Chronic neuropathic pain following oxaliplatin and docetaxel: A 5-year follow-up questionnaire study

Abstract

Abstract Background Adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel and oxaliplatin increases survival in patients with high-risk breast and colorectal cancer, respectively, but may induce acute and chronic neurotoxicity. This study is a 5-year follow-up of chronic chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods In 2011–2012, 74 patients with high-risk colorectal cancer and 100 patients with high-risk breast cancer answered a questionnaire before, during and one year after receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and docetaxel, respectively. In 2016, a 5-year follow-up with the same questionnaire was performed in survivors. Results Fifty-two (36.5% women) of 74 patients (91%) treated with oxaliplatin and 80 (100% women) of 100 patients (85%) treated with docetaxel answered the questionnaire. The most common symptoms of CIPN were tingling in the hands (44.2% in the oxaliplatin (CI 95% 30.5; 58.7) and 36.3% in the docetaxel group (CI 95% 25.8; 47.8)) and feet (52.0% in the oxaliplatin (CI 95% 37.6; 66.0) and 37.5% (CI 95% 29.9; 49.0) in the docetaxel group) and numbness in the feet (34.6% in the oxaliplatin (CI 95% 22.0; 49.1) and 17.5% (CI 95% 9.9; 27.6) in the docetaxel group). Pain was present in the hands or feet in 28.9% of patients treated with oxaliplatin (CI 95% 17.12; 43.0) and 31.3% of patients treated with docetaxel (CI 95% 21.3; 42.6). Conclusions The results showed no major change in symptoms of neuropathy or pain from 1 to 5 years after chemotherapy. Symptoms of neuropathy were more common in patients treated with oxaliplatin.