The neurologic side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients

The lack of publicated data on the side effects of the most commonly used combinations of antineoplasmatics drugs in lung cancer patients focused our attention on this problem.

The aim of the study was the evaluation of number and intensity of neurologic side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients.

Material and method: in 309 lung cancer patients the frequency and intensity of side effects of combined chemotherapeutic regimes was assessed. The intensity of side effects of chemotherapy in accordance to 5 degree WHO scale was estimated. The symptoms of cerebral and peripheral nervs lesions were measured in above mentioned scale.

In all patients the state of consciousness was assessed: alert, transient lethargy, somnolence <50% of walking hours, somnolent >50% hours, coma.

Peripheral nervs: none, paresthesias and/or decreased tendon reflexes, severe patesthesias and/or mild weakness, marked motor loss, paralysis.

The dependence of intensity of side effects of chemotherapy on age, cellular type and stage of cancer, the drug combination and effects of treatment was examined.

The results: The neurologic side effects of chemotherapy in more than 50% of patients were seen. Mostly there were disturbances of cosciousness, including in 4% coma.

In 45% of patients lesions of peripheral nervs were observed.

Intensity of neurologic side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients was dependent on the drug combinations, age, stage of cancer and results of treatment.

In older patients, in advanced cancer and uneffective treatment the toxity of applied chemotherapy was greater. The toxity of chemotherapy was also dependent on the drug combinations.