Visual evoked potentials findings in course of paclitaxel doxorubicin combination chemotherapy. Report of a case

The case of a 63 year-old woman affected by advanced breast cancer is reported. Chemotherapy with paclitaxel (200 mg/m2) and doxorubicin (60 mg/m2) every three weeks was given for 8 cycles. The patient progressively developed a sensory-motor neuropathy of axonal type. After the 6th chemotherapy cycle the patient complained of subjective visual symptoms without a relevant reduction of visual acuity. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) showed an important reduction of the amplitude of the P100 component with a less pronounced delay in latency. Electroretinic responses were normal. These findings suggest an optic neuropathy, confirming previous reports of the occurrence of optic nerve involvement in course of paclitaxel chemotherapy. The role of VEP assessment in course of paclitaxel chemotherapy is discussed comparing clinical and neurophysiological findings in this case with three previously reported cases.