Clinical Characteristics of Neuropathic Pain and Its Relationship with Cancer in Different Corporal Areas—A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) and cancer are caused by nerve damage due to cancer or treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, with a prevalence that can reach up to 40%. Causes of neuropathic cancer pain (NCP) include direct nerve invasion or compression by the tumor, as well as neural toxicity associated with treatments. This type of pain is classified into several categories, such as plexopathy, radiculopathy, and peripheral neuropathies. Methods: Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and LILACS databases were searched until October 2024. Two authors independently performed the search, study selection, and data extraction. Methodological quality was analyzed using the Robins-I tool. Results: The main findings of this review indicate that, depending on the cancer type, neuropathic pain will exhibit different characteristics, as well as identifying which types of cancer have a higher probability of presenting neuropathic pain. Additionally, there is a direct relationship whereby the more advanced the cancer, the greater the likelihood of experiencing neuropathic pain. Finally, although chemotherapy is employed as a cancer treatment, this therapy is quite invasive, and one of its adverse effects is that treated patients have a higher probability of developing neuropathic pain. Conclusions: Neuropathic pain is a condition that adversely affects patients with cancer. A detailed understanding of the relationships and triggers that produce this condition is present in only a small percentage of patients with cancer and is necessary to provide better treatment and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of neuropathic pain. The objective of this study is to describe the relationship between different types of cancer or various treatments and the presence of NP.