JOANNE QUILLEN, MSN, APRN, PNP-BC

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM in the body has two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is a network of nerves throughout the body. The CNS and peripheral nervous system work together to monitor, coordinate, and control all activities of the body. Changes in the functioning of the brain or nerves can profoundly affect both health and quality of life.

As the number of survivors who have received treatment affecting the nervous system increases, more is being learned about long-term effects on the CNS. These effects can impact survivors’ education, social lives, relationships, and job performance.

This chapter reviews the cancer treatments that can cause changes in the brain and nerves, the signs and symptoms of such changes, methods to screen for these effects, and the medical management of these effects.