Cognitive side-effects of adjuvant treatments.
Symptoms associated with cognitive dysfunction-difficulties with memory, concentration, and language-are frequent among breast cancer survivors after chemotherapy. The true incidence, functional significance, and causes of these symptoms remain unclear. Models of cognitive dysfunction suggest multiple possible contributors including changes in hormonal milieu, direct effects of chemotherapy, medications given as supportive care, psychiatric changes including depression and anxiety, and mediators of inflammation. Novel neuro-cognitive testing and imaging methods are being evaluated in breast cancer survivors to better understand cognitive side-effects of therapy.
Burstein
Harold J
HJ
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. hburstein@partners.org
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents