Effects of radiation therapy on neuropsychological functioning in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Sixteen patients who had a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who were treated with radiation therapy were followed up after a median duration of 5.5 years and given a battery of neuropsychological tests. Results were compared with a comparable group of newly diagnosed NPC patients awaiting radiation therapy. The irradiated group was significantly poorer in overall IQ, non-verbal memory recall, and reported a substantially greater number of memory related complaints. These results contrast with the complacent general assumption that radiation therapy has a negligible effect on adult functioning.
Lee
P W
PW
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong.
Hung
B K
BK
Woo
E K
EK
Tai
P T
PT
Choi
D T
DT
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000528:radiation effects; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000528:radiation effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000528:radiation effects; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000528:radiation effects; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000528:radiation effects*