Cold Feet After Cancer Treatment

Having cold feet is a common side effect of chemotherapy cancer treatments. Some chemotherapy drugs will harm the nervous system at the same time they're working to kill the cancer cells. This nerve damage, or neuropathy, is what causes the cold feet experienced by some cancer patients.

CIPN

• According to the American Cancer Society, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy often begins in a person's feet, but can affect the hands, too. The symptoms of CIPN can become worse over time.

Duration

• The National Cancer Institute states that many nervous system problems will resolve within a year after finishing chemotherapy. However, some may continue throughout a patient's life.

Factors

• The type and amount of chemotherapy drugs a patient receives can affect how long a person suffers from cold feet. Additional factors include a person's age and whether or not the patient has other diseases that affect the nervous system, such as diabetes.

Seek Help

• Patients who suffer from cold feet should report the symptom to their doctor. If they are still undergoing treatment, the doctor may need to lessen the dosage or suspend treatment until the symptoms ease.

Alternatives

• There are therapies available to help heal damaged nerves. These include massage and acupuncture.