Frequency of Paclitaxel Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (PIPN) in Iraqi Breast Cancer Patients: A QLQ-CIPN20 Analysis

Abstract

Breast Cancer is a first leading cause of deaths in women worldwide. Many anticancer agents are used to treat the disease such as Taxol (Scientific name Paclitaxel). Taxol target the cell cycle dysfunction and prevent microtubules depolymerisation, leading to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and cell death. This prospective cohort study evaluated the incidence and severity of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (PIPN) in 30 breast cancer patients receiving Taxol chemotherapy at Al-Yarmook teaching Hospital. PIPN was assessed using the the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-CIPN twenty-item scale (QLQ-CIPN20). Patient-reported symptom questionnaires over a 10 weeks follow-up period. For sensory scale, patients score was (6.42 ± 3.73b) at baseline to (34.85 ± 15.11a) after treatment (p < 0.0001). For motor scale, patients score was (5.58±3.21b) at baseline to (26.22±12.0c) after treatment (p < 0.0001). For autonomic scale, patients score was from (5.12±2.96b) at baseline to (14.37±11.09c) after treatment (p < 0.0001). These findings highlight the high burden of PIPN in breast cancer patients treated with Taxol and emphasize the need for close monitoring and early intervention to mitigate this adverse effect."