Episode 9: Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

By ONA Editor March 31, 2024 No Comments

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Welcome to the ninth episode of Supportive Care Matters, a podcast Hosted by Medical Oncologist Professor Bogda Koczwara AM from Adelaide, Australia.

Navigating the silent struggle that many cancer survivors face, this episode promises insights into the lesser-known yet impactful world of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

With the expertise of Professor David Goldstein and Associate Professor Susanna Park, this episode sheds light on how CIPN disrupts daily life in ways that go unnoticed by the medical community.

From the nuanced challenges of assessing the severity of this condition to the cognitive toll it takes on patients, Bogda leads a discussion on the critical need for sensitive and precise management strategies that can truly make a difference.

The conversation takes a deep look into the tools and techniques that are transforming how we understand and measure CIPN. Our guests articulate the importance of patient-reported experiences in guiding interventions and the potential benefits of exercise in mitigating neuropathic symptoms. Through this dialogue, we recognise the dedication and collaborative efforts that are pushing the envelope in neuropathy research and care, offering a glimmer of hope for those battling with the long-lasting effects of their cancer treatments.

This conversation is produced by The Oncology Network.

Host:

Bogda Koczwara AM

Professor Bogda Koczwara AM

Professor Bogda Koczwara AM is a medical oncologist and a senior staff specialist at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer in Adelaide, Australia.

Professor Koczwara completed her oncology training at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, USA, and received a Master in Bioethics degree from Monash University, Australia.

Her clinical interests revolve around management of breast cancer, cancer survivorship, psycho-oncology and supportive care as well as health services development, integration with primary care and cancer education for health care professionals.

Connect with Bogda on Twitter: @bogda_koczwara

Guests:

Professor David Goldstein

Professor David Goldstein is a conjoint clinical professor at UNSW with an extensive track record in research. He is head of the medical oncology department of the Nelune Cancer Centre at Prince of Wales hospital and Leader of the Poor Outcomes cancer stream of Maridulu Budyari Gumal Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) Cancer Clinical Academic Group.

He was the adult program leader of the UNSW National Cancer Survivors Centre and continues to lead a research program associated with survivorship issues. As part of this activity, he was the Chief Investigator of a Cancer Institute NSW translational program grant of $3,100,000 to study the impact of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Associate Professor Susanna Park

Associate Professor Susanna Park PhD leads a multidisciplinary research group investigating assessment strategies, treatments and risk factors in neuropathy and neuromuscular disease at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Australia. She has expertise in multidisciplinary peripheral neuropathy research, leading a number of studies examining clinical translation, assessment strategies, treatment and risk factors for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with >130 peer-reviewed publications. She obtained her PhD from the University of New South Wales, Australia and subsequently undertook postdoctoral training at the Institute of Neurology, University College London.

Connect with Susanna on Twitter/X: @zannaspark

Connect with The Oncology Network on Twitter: @OncologyNewsAus

Papers:

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity in Cancer Survivors: Predictors of Long-Term Patient Outcomes

Impact of Pain on symptom burden in CIPN

Patient reported outcomes in CIPN

CIPN Clinical Pathway for Optimal Screening, Assessment and Management

Exercise pilot study for CIPN rehabilitation

Impaired gait in people with CIPN

Cancer Grand Challenges – Neurotoxicity

About Author

ONA Editor

The ONA Editor curates oncology news, views and reviews from Australia and around the world for our readers. In aggregated content, original sources will be acknowledged in the article footer.