Severe disabling sensory-motor polyneuropathy during oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy

Oxaliplatin-based combination chemotherapy is an option for first-line therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer. It is associated with acute hyperexcitability of motor and sensory nerves, and a cumulative sensory axonal neuropathy. We describe a 56-year-old male with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with oxaliplatin and capecitabine who developed a rapidly ascending motor and sensory neuropathy, which rendered him wheelchair-bound. Heightened clinical suspicion for possible oxaliplatin-induced motor neuropathies may be warranted.