Based on PubMed | Is tingling in the legs or feet a symptom of endometrial cancer, or is it more likely from treatment-related neuropathy?

Short answer

Tingling in the legs or feet is far more commonly due to treatment‑related peripheral neuropathy than to endometrial cancer itself. Taxane (paclitaxel) and platinum (carboplatin/cisplatin) chemotherapy frequently cause nerve symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet. ^{[1] [2]} These sensory changes often begin during treatment and can improve after therapy ends, although they sometimes persist. ^{[3] [4]}

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What causes tingling during endometrial cancer care?

Chemotherapy‑induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)

• Taxanes (paclitaxel) and platinum drugs (carboplatin, cisplatin) are well‑known to cause peripheral nerve injury, leading to tingling, “pins and needles,” numbness, burning pain, and sometimes weakness. ^{[1] [5]}
• These symptoms typically start in the toes and fingertips and can progress in a “glove and stocking” pattern. ^[4]
• Risk is related to dose per cycle, cumulative dose, infusion schedule, and coexisting conditions; prior neuropathy (e.g., diabetes) increases susceptibility. ^[4]
• In gynecologic cancers, first‑line taxane/platinum regimens are associated with the highest neuropathy scores, and symptoms are often recognized early in treatment. ^[3]
• Clinicians routinely monitor for neuropathy and may reduce, delay, or discontinue paclitaxel if neuropathy reaches moderate to severe grades. ^{[6] [7]}
• Rehabilitation and supportive care teams commonly help manage chemotherapy‑related neuropathy to reduce pain and improve function. ^{[8] [9]}

Immune therapy combinations

• When paclitaxel/carboplatin are combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., durvalumab or dostarlimab), patient information sheets still highlight tingling, numbness, and pain in hands and feet as neuropathy symptoms to report promptly. ^{[10] [11]}
• Rarely, immune therapies can affect the nervous system more broadly (headache, confusion, weakness, abnormal movements), and any new or rapidly worsening neurologic symptom warrants urgent review. ^[12]

Radiation‑related nerve issues

• Pelvic radiation can lead to late‑onset nerve problems (such as lumbosacral plexopathy), but these are uncommon and typically present months to years later, often with more prominent weakness and pain than simple tingling. ^[13]
• When nerve injury occurs from regional drug delivery (historical intra‑arterial chemotherapy to pelvic vessels), severe plexus damage was reported, but this is not typical of modern systemic regimens. ^[14]

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Is tingling a symptom of endometrial cancer itself?

• Endometrial cancer more commonly causes pelvic and uterine symptoms (e.g., abnormal bleeding) rather than distal limb tingling.
• Neurologic symptoms directly from cancer usually arise from uncommon scenarios such as tumor involvement of the spinal canal/nerve roots or paraneoplastic syndromes; these are considerably rarer than treatment‑related neuropathy in standard endometrial cancer pathways. ^[13]

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When to seek medical review

• New or worsening tingling, numbness, burning pain, or difficulty with fine tasks (buttoning, picking up small objects) should be reported to your oncology team, because early dose adjustments can prevent progression. ^{[1] [15]}
• If tingling is accompanied by significant weakness, balance problems, severe pain, or sudden neurologic changes (e.g., confusion, severe headache), seek urgent care, as these can indicate more serious neurologic events. ^[12]

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What your team may do

• Assess neuropathy severity before each cycle and consider paclitaxel dose reduction, treatment delay, or omission if neuropathy reaches grade 2 or higher. ^{[6] [2]}
• Provide supportive treatments (pain control, topical agents, physical therapy, occupational therapy) to help with function and safety. ^{[9] [8]}
• Screen with validated tools and track changes over time; many people notice improvement after completing first‑line therapy, though persistence can occur. ^{[2] [3]}

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Practical tips for self‑care

• Protect hands and feet from extreme temperatures; test bath water with your elbow to avoid burns if sensation is reduced. ^[16]
• Wear well‑cushioned, supportive footwear and remove trip hazards at home to lower fall risk when numbness is present. ^[1]
• Gentle exercise, balance training, and physical therapy can help maintain strength and reduce functional impact. ^[9]

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Summary table: Likely sources of tingling in legs/feet during endometrial cancer treatment

Source	How common?	Typical features	Timing	Notes
Chemotherapy (paclitaxel/carboplatin)	Common	Tingling, pins and needles, numbness, burning pain in hands/feet	During treatment; may persist	Monitored each cycle; dose adjustments if moderate/severe. [1] [6] [4] [3]
Immune therapy add‑on	Occasional neuropathy; rare broader neuro events	Similar sensory symptoms; rarely central nervous system signs	During treatment	Report promptly; urgent care for severe neurologic changes. [10] [12]
Pelvic radiation	Uncommon for distal tingling	Late‑onset plexopathy with weakness/pain	Months–years after radiation	More often weakness than isolated tingling. [13]
Cancer itself	Rare cause of distal tingling	From nerve root/plexus involvement or paraneoplastic syndromes	Variable	Much less likely than treatment‑related neuropathy. [13]

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Bottom line

While individual experiences vary, tingling in the legs or feet during endometrial cancer care is most often due to chemotherapy‑induced peripheral neuropathy, particularly from paclitaxel and platinum regimens. ^{[1] [4]} Clinicians expect and monitor for this, and there are established steps to adjust treatment and support recovery. ^{[6] [3]}