Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) is damage to the nerves in the extremities (non-brain). In lymphoma patients this is usually in the hands and or feet. Neuropathy can be caused by radiation or chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is a common cause of PN in lymphoma patients and survivors. The drugs which tend to cause the most damage are vinblastine (the "V" in ABVD chemotherapy used for Hodgkin's Disease) and vincristine (used in some regimes for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma like the "O" in CHOP). Both these drugs are of the vinca alkaloid family (derived from the periwinkle plant Catharantus roseus).
Radiation therapy can also cause neuropathy. These can take the form of brachial plexopathy (arm/shoulder neuropathy), cervical plexopathy (neck), and lumbar-sacral plexopathy (lower back and legs).
If diabetes is involved, then there is a condition called diabetic neuropathy.
Often a fair percentage of chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced neuropathy is temporary - the nerves recover or regenerate in a matter of weeks. Some neuropathy may be permanent or increase after time (Late Effects)..
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Resources
Info on Common Lymphoma Chemotherapy Drugs
The Neuropathy Association is dedicated to help those with peripheral neuropathy (PN) in the US and the Neuropathy Trust helps those in the UK.
Good NINDS article on Peripheral Neuropathy
The NCI dictionary has definitions for
vinca alkaloid
vinblastine
vincristine
NLM has good monographs
vinblastine and
vincristine
Diabetic Neuropathy
Neuropathy in AIDS
Related Articles
For more information on Adult Lymphomas:
Adult Hodgkin's Disease Chemotherapy
Adult Non-Hodgkin's Disease Chemotherapy
For more information on Childhood Lymphomas:
Childhood Hodgkin's Disease Chemotherapy
Childhood Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Chemotherapy
Other pages of interest:
After Lymphoma
The Lymphoma Information Network
Books
Numb Toes and Aching Soles: Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy by John Senneff, 1999. The first and best authoritative book on helping people deal with peripheral neuropathy. Available in paperback at a discount and in hardback.
Numb Toes and Other Woes is the second in a series of PN books that is out by MedPress Online.
Nutrients for Neuropathy is the third book in the series and has helpful information
The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Peripheral Neuropathy: A Revised and Updated Directory for the Internet Age by Icon Health Publications may be the right book for those who are not interested in the above books (different writing style). The description on Amazon is quite good.
