Skin Biopsies in Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy
Skin Biopsies in Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a common side effect of chemotherapeutics used for the treatment of multiple
 myeloma, including vincristine, thalidomide and bortezomib. The neuropathy induced by these
 drugs is often preferentially small fiber. Small fiber neuropathies are difficult to diagnose
 and quantify using conventional electromyography. Determining intra-epidermal nerve fiber
 density (IENFD) in skin biopsies from diabetes and AIDS patients has been shown to be a more
 sensitive and more specific ancillary investigation to establish the diagnosis of small fiber
 neuropathy. In this study the investigators aim to establish the sensitivity of IENFD
 measurements in skin biopsies from patients with multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with multiple myeloma receiving bortezomib

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients not able to provide informed consent

 -  Patients with coagulation disturbances or immunocompromised patients