Phantom limb pain as a manifestation of paclitaxel neurotoxicity

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent with activity directed against sever al malignancies. It has multiple adverse effects including neurotoxicity, W e describe 2 patients with prior amputation who experienced phantom limb pa in (PLP) after receiving paclitaxel therapy. A third patient experienced di sabling neurotoxicity in the extremity of a prior ulnar nerve and tendon tr ansposition after receiving paclitaxel, This unique syndrome should be iden tified as a direct causal effect of paclitaxel, In this report, we review t he pathophysiology of PLP and treatment options. Physicians should be aware that PLP can occur after initiation of paclitaxel.