Neurotoxic side effects and impact on daily life in patients with colorectal cancer with adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers globally. Chemotherapeutic drugs are frequently used in postoperative treatment. The platinum compound oxaliplatin (OXA) is an option for adjuvant treatment of patients with resected CRC, and has been shown to improve survival. OXA-induced neurotoxic side effects are common (e.g. sensitivity to cold, numbness). Neurotoxicity can interfere with the patient’s daily living and affect ability to carry out activities. Because there is no evidence for effective treatment in terms of eliminating neurotoxic side effects, the most successful approaches include early identification, reduction of dose and interruption of treatment. Current research has identified a need for patient-oriented evidence in terms of long-term follow-up of neurotoxicity. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to explore OXA-induced neurotoxic side effects in patients with colorectal cancer, and the influence on patients’ daily lives during and post OXA treatment. Methods: The thesis is based on four studies, and includes an analysis of medical records, as well as prospective quantitative and qualitative approaches with longitudinal data collection through a mobile phone-based system. The studies were performed at oncology departments in four hospitals in Sweden. Inclusion criteria were that patients should be at least 18 years of age, and should have been treated with chemotherapy, including OXA (FOLFOX, XELOX), in an adjuvant setting for CRC stages II-III. Study I had a retrospective design, and data involved (n=61) medical records. A structured protocol was used to evaluate the documentation of patients’ neurotoxic side effects. In studies II and III, ten patients were recruited using a strategy of purposeful and consecutive selection according to the inclusion criteria, where OXA-related neurotoxic side effects were assessed. A total of 10 interviews were carried out when neurotoxic side effects appeared (II), and after completed OXA treatment (3, 6 and 12 month’s ...