Neurologic complications of breast cancer

Cancer. 2023 Feb 15;129(4):505-520. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34518. Epub 2022 Dec 20.

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with unique neurologic complications that can arise from central nervous system (CNS) involvement or secondary to treatments themselves. As progress is made, with more targeted therapies and combinations available, particularly in the realm of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive disease, the role of these new agents in patients with CNS disease is gradually evolving, although intracranial efficacy itself is lagging. At the same time, both systemic and local standard therapies pose clinical challenges regarding neurologic complications, such as peripheral neuropathy and cognitive changes. The development of new agents, such as immunotherapy, and new strategies, such as incorporating systemic therapies into local therapy, unveil new presentations of neurological complications.

Keywords: brain neoplasms; breast cancer; breast neoplasms; central nervous system diseases; peripheral nervous system diseases; peripheral neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms* / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases* / etiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* / etiology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptor, ErbB-2