[Chemotherapeutic neurotoxicity]

Not uncommonly, damage to the nervous system occurs as a complication of antineoplastic therapy. Neurotoxicity can be induced by synergistic or additive effects of cytotoxic treatments and nervous system exposure is related to routes and doses. Improvements in treating systemic malignancy have been accompanied by reports of neurologic toxicity that has important impact on quality of life and may even limit use of the treatment. Neurological toxicity may be a dose-limiting factor that prevents more aggressive use of that form of treatment. With the increasing use of multi-modality therapy, dose-intensive therapy and experimental therapy, the incidence of neurological toxicity continues to rise. It points out the need for continuous clinical evaluation to detect their appearance. When neurological complications are diagnosed late, they are rarely reversible. Neuroprotective agents are still under evaluation.