Electrophysiological features of taxane-induced polyneuropathy in patients with breast cancer.

Fifty-five patients with breast cancer were analyzed for electrophysiological characteristics of taxane-induced polyneuropathy. Based on the electrodiagnostic criteria, sensory motor polyneuropathy was found in 67% (37/55) of patients ranging between mild degree and moderate to severe degree. The polyneuropathy is predominantly axonal with three unique features: (1) frequent asymmetry, (2) high sural and radial sensory amplitude ratio in patients with mild polyneuropathy, and (3) slow conduction velocity seen only at the common entrapment sites, such as the carpal tunnel. The severity of polyneuropathy correlated positively with the cumulative dose received. Our study supports the clinical utility of electrodiagnostic study in both diagnosis and monitoring of taxane-induced polyneuropathy.