Cognitive functions in long-term survivors of ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer often undergo chemotherapy involving multiple agents. However, little is known about the incidence of cognitive adverse effects of chemotherapy in survivors of this disease. This cross-sectional study assessed neuropsychological functions in long-term survivors of ovarian cancer who were either in complete remission or with evidence of recurrent disease.


METHODS
Forty-eight women diagnosed with ovarian cancer 5 to 10 years prior to study enrollment underwent a brief neuropsychological evaluation; 22 patients were disease free and without history of recurrence (Group 1), and 26 patients had recurrent disease and were receiving treatment with chemotherapy or hormonal therapy (Group 2).


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between the two patient groups on tests of attention, memory, and executive functions. Group mean cognitive test scores were within the average range on all tests; however 28% of patients met criteria for cognitive impairment, a significantly higher frequency (p=0.03) than reported in healthy populations.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, neuropsychological test performance did not differ significantly between ovarian cancer survivors who were in remission and patients with recurrent disease and receiving treatment. Cognitive impairment was evident in a subset of patients, although group means test scores were within the average range. Additional research using prospective longitudinal designs is needed to clarify the contribution of disease, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and other risk factors to cognitive outcome in this clinical population.
Correa
Denise D
DD
Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. corread@mskcc.org
Zhou
Qin
Q
Thaler
Howard T
HT
Maziarz
Michelle
M
Hurley
Karen
K
Hensley
Martee L
ML
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents