[Cognitive function in breast cancer patients on chemotherapy: a longitudinal study].
OBJECTIVE
To explore whether cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients after the completion of chemotherapy treatment in comparisons with breast cancer patients without chemotherapy treatment and matched healthy controls.


METHODS
A neuropsychology battery was applied in all breast cancer patients at our hospital from January 2012 to February 2013. Forty-two breast cancer patients with chemotherapy treatment (CT) underwent neuropsychologic testing before the start of chemotherapy (T1) and after treatment (T2). And 37 patients without chemotherapy treatment (non-CT) and matched healthy controls (HC) underwent the same assessment at matched intervals.


RESULTS
The CT group performed significantly worse on attention, memory and executive function tests at T2 versus T1 (P < 0.05). As compared with HC and non-CT groups, the correct numbers of backward, digit symbol, delayed recall and recognition were lower in the CT group (P < 0.05). The reacting time of TMT test B, Stroop test B and Stroop test C were longer in the CT group (P < 0.05). There was significant time interaction in three groups (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There are longitudinal changes in cognitive functioning of memory, attention and executive functions in breast cancer patients on Chemotherapy.
Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
Xingui
X
Chen
Jingjing
J
Li
Chunyan
C
Zhu
Dandan
D
Li
Jingjie
J
Zhang
Email: wangkai1964@126.com.
Kai
K
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001288:Attention; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests