MD Anderson researchers find colorectal cancer may damage nerves before chemotherapy

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that colorectal tumors may cause peripheral nerve damage before chemotherapy treatment even begins. According to a study published in Nature Communications, preclinical models indicate that tumor-related inflammation and alterations in fat metabolism can damage the protective coating of nerves.

This finding challenges the prevailing medical assumption that peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer patients is primarily caused by chemotherapy. The study suggests that much of the nerve damage may be latent, occurring due to the cancer itself without causing overt pain symptoms. This pre-existing damage could potentially make nerves more susceptible to injury during subsequent chemotherapy treatments, which may have significant implications for the long-term quality of life for cancer survivors.