
Study finds that brain chemotherapy persists after treatment in patients
Study finds that brain chemotherapy persists after treatment in patients
Many cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy start treatment expecting to deal with two of the most feared side effects: fatigue and hair loss. But there is something else they should be prepared to face that can be just as disruptive: cognitive decline that makes it difficult to focus and perform daily tasks. This has been shown to be especially true for breast cancer patients.
Known as “chemo brain,” and often described as generalized mental confusion, breast cancer patients may find that it persists for up to six months after chemotherapy ends, according to a study published in the December 2016 Journal of Clinical Oncology.
What are the symptoms of chemo brain?
According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms of chemo brain include:
- Short-term memory lapses.
- Difficulty remembering names and dates.
- Difficulty concentrating
- It takes longer to complete tasks
- Difficulty remembering common words
Previous research has linked memory problems to some chemotherapy drugs prescribed to treat many types of breast cancer. But in one of the largest studies yet to explore the brain’s chemical reaction in breast cancer patients, researchers at the University of Rochester have more data to support that theory.
Comparing 581 breast cancer patients with 364 healthy adults, the researchers measured the patients’ perceived impairment by describing others’ cognitive function. One month after the chemotherapy ended, 45 percent of patients reported a significant reduction in their cognitive abilities, while only one in 10 in the comparison group experienced the same problems. The problems improved over time, but they did not go away. After six months, 36 percent of patients still felt their mental ability had decreased, compared to about 13 percent of the control group.
Other treatments that can cause chemo brain
Additional research has found that other cancer treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, can also lead to chemo brain, as it causes inflammation in the body. “It appears that it is this secondary inflammation that produces the cognitive symptoms,” says Dr. Eugene Ann, MD, a medical oncologist and medical director of clinical research at our hospital outside of Chicago. This is why chymoprene is considered a misnomer by many in the medical community, as chemotherapy is not the only cause.
The researchers also reported that younger women, black women, and those who reported higher levels of anxiety and depression were more likely to have greater declines in brain function. “We also know that depression and anxiety can lead to a vicious cycle with cognitive symptoms, as one cause of ‘pseudo-dementia’ (or inorganic cognitive impairment) is depression, and breast cancer survivors are at an increased risk of developing depression.” Dr. Ahn.
Researchers haven’t hypothesized why chemotherapy drugs cause cognitive failure, and they haven’t even been able to determine if there is a direct cause-and-effect relationship. But they concluded that some people, such as breast cancer patients, are more susceptible. This knowledge can help direct patients to tools and treatments designed to help relieve symptoms. “We know that exercise, meditation, and healthy eating help produce immune traits (cytokine profiles) unlike those seen in patients with ‘chemo brain’ symptoms,” says Dr. Ann. “I advise my patients to adopt these lifestyle changes for many proven reasons. , such as reducing the risk of developing cancer later in life, with the added benefit that it can help speed recovery from the chemo brain.