What are your views on cooling therapy to prevent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy?

Share What are your views on cooling therapy to prevent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy? on Facebook Share What are your views on cooling therapy to prevent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy? on Twitter Share What are your views on cooling therapy to prevent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy? on Linkedin Email What are your views on cooling therapy to prevent chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy? link

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.

All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

loader image
Forgot password?
Didn't receive confirmation?
Register Now
Seems like you are already registered, please provide the password. Forgot your password? Create a new one now.
Cancel
  • Share Game changer to avoid post chemo neuropathy on Facebook Share Game changer to avoid post chemo neuropathy on Twitter Share Game changer to avoid post chemo neuropathy on Linkedin Email Game changer to avoid post chemo neuropathy link

    Game changer to avoid post chemo neuropathy

    by Rahul Singh, 2 days ago

    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.


    Neuropathy is one of... Continue reading

  • Share Helping myself to avoid CIPN on Facebook Share Helping myself to avoid CIPN on Twitter Share Helping myself to avoid CIPN on Linkedin Email Helping myself to avoid CIPN link

    Helping myself to avoid CIPN

    by KarinSi, 10 days ago

    Hi Laura,

    I am glad to read about this project.

    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

  • Share In favour of being offered Hilotherm or equivalent on Facebook Share In favour of being offered Hilotherm or equivalent on Twitter Share In favour of being offered Hilotherm or equivalent on Linkedin Email In favour of being offered Hilotherm or equivalent link

    In favour of being offered Hilotherm or equivalent

    by Maria, 23 days ago
    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
  • Share Thank you! on Facebook Share Thank you! on Twitter Share Thank you! on Linkedin Email Thank you! link

    Thank you!

    23 days ago
    Thank you so much for your comments. They will help us developing the service so they greatly appreciated!

    Laura Collantes-Espinosa

  • Share Sasha on Facebook Share Sasha on Twitter Share Sasha on Linkedin Email Sasha link

    Sasha

    by Sasha Johnson, 24 days ago

    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

  • Share Lucy on Facebook Share Lucy on Twitter Share Lucy on Linkedin Email Lucy link

    Lucy

    by Have not tried this treatment but would like to, about 1 month ago
    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

  • Share Lucy Lansdown on Facebook Share Lucy Lansdown on Twitter Share Lucy Lansdown on Linkedin Email Lucy Lansdown link

    Lucy Lansdown

    by Lucy Lansdown , about 1 month ago
    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

  • Share Cooling mittens and slippers helped my peripheral neuropathy symptoms on Facebook Share Cooling mittens and slippers helped my peripheral neuropathy symptoms on Twitter Share Cooling mittens and slippers helped my peripheral neuropathy symptoms on Linkedin Email Cooling mittens and slippers helped my peripheral neuropathy symptoms link

    Cooling mittens and slippers helped my peripheral neuropathy symptoms

    by Francina , about 1 month ago
    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.


  • Share Not used this HIlotherm on Facebook Share Not used this HIlotherm on Twitter Share Not used this HIlotherm on Linkedin Email Not used this HIlotherm link

    Not used this HIlotherm

    by Marie54, about 1 month ago
    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?
  • Share Brave treacle on Facebook Share Brave treacle on Twitter Share Brave treacle on Linkedin Email Brave treacle link

    Brave treacle

    by Suze, about 1 month ago
    Hi

    I had cyclophosphamide and docetaxel for the treatment of breast cancer in 2020. Much to people’s amusement I sat with ice blocks in cool bags on my hands and feet through all my treatments and haven’t experienced any peripheral neuropathy bar some recurrent tingling that I get around my lips ( where blanching of skin also occurred) That is lessening over time. I also used the cold cap. I didn’t lose my hair until after treatment with the introduction of Zoladex. I would repeat this pattern if I ever have to face chemotherapy again as it give one hope... Continue reading

Page last updated: 07 Mar 2025, 09:06 PM