A prospective study of neuropsychological functioning in testicular cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Whether systemic chemotherapy has a negative effect on cognitive function in patients, concern oncologists. In testicular cancer patients (TCPs) treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, only few cross-sectional studies have addressed this concern. We prospectively studied neuropsychological functioning in TCPs.


METHODS
In a consecutive sampling, 122 TCPs were examined at baseline (after orchidectomy, before any additional treatment) and then at follow-up at a median of 12 months after end of treatment. The examinations included a neuropsychological test battery, interview on background variables and questionnaires on mental distress, fatigue and neurotoxic symptoms. Changes in neuropsychological functioning from baseline to follow-up were compared between three treatments groups: no chemotherapy (N = 31), one cycle of chemotherapy (N = 38) and two or more cycles of chemotherapy (N = 53). Variables associated with a decline in neuropsychological test performance from baseline to follow-up were explored.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences in proportions of TCPs with a decline in neuropsychological test performance were observed between the three treatment groups. Decline in neuropsychological test performance was not associated with demographic variables, distress, fatigue or with chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
No negative effect of systemic chemotherapy on neuropsychological test performance in TCPs at 1-year follow-up was found in this study.
National Resource Center for Late Effects, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, and University of Oslo. Electronic address: Tone.Skaali@oslo-universitetssykehus.no.
T
T
Skaali
National Resource Center for Late Effects, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, and University of Oslo.
S D
SD
Fosså
Department of Neuropsychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet.
S
S
Andersson
National Resource Center for Late Effects, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, and University of Oslo.
M
M
Cvancarova
Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål Hospital.
C W
CW
Langberg
Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
G
G
Lehne
National Resource Center for Late Effects, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, and University of Oslo.
A A
AA
Dahl
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009919:Orchiectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018239:Seminoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents