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What are your views on cooling therapy to prevent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy?
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Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a very common side effect with certain chemotherapy drugs. CIPN can present as tingling, numbness or even pain, usually on hands and feet. There are no evidenced based measures or drugs which can help prevent the development of CIPN. It can be acute and short lived, but it can also persist several months after finishing the treatment.
There have been several studies in the last few years looking at the effect of cold on hands and feet as a way to prevent CIPN. These studies have shown promising results, not only with the reduction of more severe CIPN but also improvement for those patients who had already developed CIPN.
The Royal Marsden has managed to secure a device for 6 months with Hilotherm. The Hilotherm® Chemocare device is a regional cooling system that uses cuffs and piping for the hands and feet through which the coolant flows at a temperature of 10 °C. Hilotherm requires 30 minutes of pre-cooling, cooling throughout infusion of CIPN causing drug.
We are interested in learning more about the experiences of patients who have used Hilotherm Chemocare, as well as those who have developed CIPN but have not yet tried it. Your feedback will be valuable in helping us advance this project. Please share your experiences below. If you want to be involved in further stages of this project please subscribe on the 'Stay informed' box to the right of this page.
Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a very common side effect with certain chemotherapy drugs. CIPN can present as tingling, numbness or even pain, usually on hands and feet. There are no evidenced based measures or drugs which can help prevent the development of CIPN. It can be acute and short lived, but it can also persist several months after finishing the treatment.
There have been several studies in the last few years looking at the effect of cold on hands and feet as a way to prevent CIPN. These studies have shown promising results, not only with the reduction of more severe CIPN but also improvement for those patients who had already developed CIPN.
The Royal Marsden has managed to secure a device for 6 months with Hilotherm. The Hilotherm® Chemocare device is a regional cooling system that uses cuffs and piping for the hands and feet through which the coolant flows at a temperature of 10 °C. Hilotherm requires 30 minutes of pre-cooling, cooling throughout infusion of CIPN causing drug.
We are interested in learning more about the experiences of patients who have used Hilotherm Chemocare, as well as those who have developed CIPN but have not yet tried it. Your feedback will be valuable in helping us advance this project. Please share your experiences below. If you want to be involved in further stages of this project please subscribe on the 'Stay informed' box to the right of this page.
Tell us about your experience of CIPN or if you have used Hilotherm Chemocare. Did it help with CIPN? Was it comfortable to use? Would you recommend it?
If you have not used the device, were you aware of it? Are you using any other cooling device? Would you like to try it?
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
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I was diagnosed with invasive ductal BC HER2 + ER+ in Aug 23. i developed CIPN after 2 doses of EC, despite lots of breaks in treatment to allow PN to settle it became so bad in my hands and feet that walking and balance was difficult. i was advised to stop chemo half way through my allotted course of treatment . It was a tough decision. I still have PN in my hands and feet which was exacerbated recently by antibiotics for a step B infection and by the Covid jab. No one was able to advise me on... Continue reading
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I was offered cooling therapy along with my chemotherapy at Royal Marsden and it was truly a game changer in terms of tackling the neuropathy post chemo. I started my chemo cycle (8 cycles of Capox - Drip+ Oral drug) without cooling therapy and suffered strong neuropathy in my feet and hands during and after my chemo cycles. However, i was introduced to the cold therapy in my 3rd cycle and did not experience any neuropathy during my remaining cycles. I completed my chemo around 6 months back and till date I don't experience any neuropathy.
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During my first chemo in 2012 I developed Stage 3 CIPN in my feet (ie severe symptoms, may limit self-care activities). I could not wear closed shoes and had difficulty walking, my skin started peeling. We had to stop at chemo cycle 4 (out of 6). The symptoms improved and after about 1 year the pins and needles stopped.
Because of this experience we changed drugs when I needed more chemo in 2020. I did some reading up on how to reduce the potential of CIPN. I came across cooling... Continue reading
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I am currently receiving paclitaxel as part of my treatment for breast cancer. I had read about the risk of CIPN and asked if there was any facility /guidance for cooling my hands / feet as a way to reduce the risk of developing CIPN. I was told that cooling of hands and feet was not being offered RMH. For this reason I am currently using Suzzi Pads and NEWGO ice gloves. So far I have not experienced any CIPN. I am also cold capping. Had Hilotherm been offered to me I would have gladly used it / taken part... Continue reading
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On Starting Chemotherapy for Breast cancer, Phase 1 I was to have paclitaxel and carboplatin once a week. I was made aware of the possibilities Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). So when the option was given to me to try the Hilotherm I decided this was a great opportunity to hopefully reduce these additional side effects. I have had nerve pain(CRPS) from a previous break to my wrist years ago which involved lots of physio therapy and medication so any preventive treatment I was all for. As I was cold capping it meant me sitting there whilst the nurses added... Continue reading
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I have been receiving chemotherapy for advanced corectal cancer for over 3 years. FOLFIRI/FOLFOX and currently on Maintence (capecitabine)
I have peripheral neuropathy and severe palmar plantar which affects my day to day life and I can no longer enjoy going for a walk with my family. I have heard of this treatment and would very much like to use it as I think it could help alleviate my symptoms
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I have heard about the cooling device but have not used it. I have peripheral neuropathy on my hands and feet and severe palmar plantar making walking for any length of time difficult.
I would very much like to try this treatment as I think it could make a big difference to my symptoms
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I have completed 12 weeks of paclitaxel for a ductal carcinoma invasive breast cancer. I was not aware of Hilotherm chemocare but my nephew sent me some gel mittens and foot slippers that I could cool in a freezer for my chemo days. I found they helped the burning feeling on first day of my chemotherapy. I had a low dose of paclitaxel so my peripheral neuropathy was mild.
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This sounds like a terrific advance against neuropathy from chemotherapy, which I had some 4.5 years ago. I do wonder though, would the system be used alongside the hair cooling device or would that be too much for the patient?
