Chemotherapy treatment can, unfortunately, have some undesirable side effects. Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause damage to the nerve endings in the hands and feet. This is known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Side effects of peripheral neuropathy are often felt in the hands and feet. They can cause severe pain and discomfort, impacting a patient’s balance, dexterity, and even their ability to walk. Tingling, numbness and burning are also common symptoms of CIPN.
The side effects can be long-lasting and irreversible, causing hypersensitivity to stimuli, pain, burning and tingling in the hands and feet, as well as loss of sensitivity, numbness and even issues with coordination and balance. There is a unique form of the disease, known as hand-foot syndrome, that causes inflammation of the skin in the hands and feet. If these side effects occur during treatment, it often means that doses have to be postponed, reduced or even stopped completely in some extreme cases.
Dr Walshaw, a consultant in clinical oncology within the Private Clinic, led the research at Clatterbridge and comments:
“Several chemotherapy drugs can cause peripheral neuropathy because they damage the tiny nerve endings that supply the skin in the fingers and toes. Indeed, it is a side-effect of some of the most common chemotherapy drugs, used for multiple cancer types. These include the taxanes, such as paclitaxel, often used to treat breast, ovarian, prostate and lung cancers; as well as alkylating agents, including oxaliplatin, used to treat colorectal, stomach or pancreatic cancers.”
Dr Walshaw explains that “Peripheral neuropathy can seriously affect patients’ quality of life. A significant proportion can suffer from it years after finishing chemotherapy, even if their cancer is in remission. It can be very stubborn to treat once it has occurred.”
“It also has a cumulative effect. Therefore, it may not be obvious after the first one or two cycles, but the longer patients take the drug, the more damage it can cause. Currently, if a patient develops peripheral neuropathy during treatment, the dose of oxaliplatin, for instance, must be reduced or even stopped. Potentially, this means we are not going to control the cancer as well.”
“Anecdotal evidence suggests exercise, like squeezing a squashy ball, can improve symptoms in some patients, possibly by reducing inflammation. Antidepressants and anticonvulsants can lessen the pain of peripheral neuropathy, as these drugs increase brain chemicals which can affect pain signals – but there are no drugs to prevent or cure it.”
These negative side effects are the reason why Dr Walshaw instigated the trial, involving the Hilotherm equipment that cools the hands and feet to 15- 17 °C using cooling gloves and boots at Clatterbridge. This cooling restricts blood flow to those extremities, minimising the side effects of peripheral neuropathy by 20-30% by reducing potential damage to nerves and other tissues in those areas. This has proved extremely effective, and as such, is now available at both the Liverpool and Wirral Clatterbridge Private Clinics.
What is Hilotherm ChemoCare?
Hilotherm ChemoCare is a medical device that delivers cooling therapy to patients’ hands and feet. Designed to prevent the onset of symptoms and reduce the progression of CIPN and hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Made up of two hand cuffs and two foot cuffs, the device is fitted to patients before, during and after chemotherapy. The cooling mechanism is designed to stimulate vasoconstriction in the patient’s hands and feet, slow the body’s metabolism and lower the skin temperature. This then minimised the chemotherapy’s ability to reach nerve endings in the hands and feet, which reduces the chances of you developing symptoms.
How Hilotherm is used:
- If you have chosen to use the Hilotherm, we advise wearing warm clothing and maybe even taking paracetamol. The nursing team will advise and guide you if the Hilotherm is suitable for your treatment.
- You will put on the gloves and boots, and the nursing team will then start the machine as it gently begins cooling to 15- 17 °C.
- You may experience some discomfort at the start as it cools down, and the team can give you a warm blanket or heat pads if required. There are hot drinks available at all times when you are with us.
- You will keep the boots and gloves on throughout your treatment and 30-60 minutes after the chemotherapy finishes.
If you are having chemotherapy treatment and would like to learn more about Hilotherm ChemoCare, please get in touch if you want, or speak to your consultant or the nursing team on your next appointment.