CONDITIONS WE TREAT: Neurological Complications of Cancer

Neurologic complications occur frequently in patients with cancer. After routine chemotherapy, these complications are the most common reason for hospitalization of these patients. Brain metastases are the most prevalent complication, affecting 20 to 40 percent of cancer patients and typically presenting as headache, altered mental status or focal weakness. Neurologic complications may also result from direct toxic effects on the nervous system, or indirectly from drug-induced metabolic derangements or cerebrovascular disorders.

TREATMENT

Patients with neurologic complications of systemic cancer can experience severe weakness, dementia, seizure activity, loss of ambulation, pain and incontinence. Any of these problems can be devastating to functional ability and quality of life. Early recognition and accurate diagnosis, followed by appropriate therapy, often result in pain relief, improved neurologic function, enhanced quality of life and, possibly, prolonged survival.