Abstract
Abstract:Complaints of loss of memory and lack of concentration have been reported by long-term survivors of breast cancer. This mild cognitive impairment (MCI), also called “chemobrain” or “chemofog,” has been the subject of a number of studies in the last few years. This cognitive impairment, although usually mild, must be studied to define possible risk factors for its development, and for future research into a preventive or therapeutic treatment approach. Long-term survivors of breast cancer must be followed to detect possible treatment sequelae as soon as possible. Since the number of these long-term survivors has increased in the last years, in part because of more active adjuvant treatments, our knowledge about the long-term side effects of these therapies has also grown.
This content is limited to qualifying members.
If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.
Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.
Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.
References
References1.Falleti MG, Sanfilippo A, Maruff P, et al. The nature and severity of cognitive impairment associated with adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis of the current literature. Brain Cogn 2005;59:60–70.FalletiMG]]SanfilippoA]]MaruffP&etal;The nature and severity of cognitive impairment associated with adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis of the current literature.Brain Cogn20055960-702.Castellon SA, Silverman DHS, Ganz PA. Breast cancer treatment and cognitive functioning: current status and future challenges in assessment. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2005;92:199–206.CastellonSA]]SilvermanDHS]]GanzPABreast cancer treatment and cognitive functioning: current status and future challenges in assessment.Breast Cancer Res Treat200592199-2063.Wieneke MH, Dienst ER. Neuropsychological assessment of cognitive functioning following chemotherapy for breast cancer. Psychooncology 1995;4:61–66.WienekeMH]]DienstERNeuropsychological assessment of cognitive functioning following chemotherapy for breast cancer.Psychooncology1995461-664.van Dam FS, Schagen SB, Muller MJ, et al. Impairment of cognitive function in women receiving adjuvant treatment for high-risk breast cancer: high-dose versus standard-dose chemotherapy. J Natl Cancer Inst 1998;90:210–218.van DamFS]]SchagenSB]]MullerMJ&etal;Impairment of cognitive function in women receiving adjuvant treatment for high-risk breast cancer: high-dose versus standard-dose chemotherapy.J Natl Cancer Inst199890210-2185.Schagen SB, van Dam FS, Muller MJ, et al. Cognitive deficits after postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for breast carcinoma. Cancer 1999;85:640–650.SchagenSB]]van DamFS]]MullerMJ&etal;Cognitive deficits after postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for breast carcinoma.Cancer199985640-6506.Brezden CB, Philips KA, Abdolell M, et al. Cognitive function in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol 2000;18:2695–2701.BrezdenCB]]PhilipsKA]]AbdolellM&etal;Cognitive function in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.J Clin Oncol2000182695-27017.Ahles TA, Saykin AJ, Furstenberg CT, et al. Neuropsychologic impact of standard-dose systemic chemotherapy in long-term survivors of breast cancer and lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 2002;20:485–493.AhlesTA]]SaykinAJ]]FurstenbergCT&etal;Neuropsychologic impact of standard-dose systemic chemotherapy in long-term survivors of breast cancer and lymphoma.J Clin Oncol200220485-4938.Tchen N, Juffs HG, Downie FP, et al. Cognitive function, fatigue and menopausal symptoms in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:4175–4183.TchenN]]JuffsHG]]DownieFP&etal;Cognitive function, fatigue and menopausal symptoms in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.J Clin Oncol2003214175-41839.Wefel JS, Lenzi R, Theriault RL, et al. The cognitivie sequelae of standard-dose adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast carcinoma: results of a prospective, randomized, longitudinal trial. Cancer 2004;100:2292–2299.WefelJS]]LenziR]]TheriaultRL&etal;The cognitivie sequelae of standard-dose adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast carcinoma: results of a prospective, randomized, longitudinal trial.Cancer20041002292-229910.Aaronson NK, Ahmedzai S, Bergman B, et al. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: a quality-of-life instrument for use in international clinical trials in oncology. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993;85:365–376.AaronsonNK]]AhmedzaiS]]BergmanB&etal;The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: a quality-of-life instrument for use in international clinical trials in oncology.J Natl Cancer Inst199385365-37611.Phillips KA, Bernhard J. Adjuvant breast cancer treatment and cognitive function: current knowledge and research directions. J Natl Cancer Inst 2003;95:190–197.PhillipsKA]]BernhardJAdjuvant breast cancer treatment and cognitive function: current knowledge and research directions.J Natl Cancer Inst200395190-19712.Maruff P, Falleti MG. Incidence of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment threatened by inflated Type I error. Cancer 2004;101:2143–2144.MaruffP]]FalletiMGIncidence of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment threatened by inflated Type I error.Cancer20041012143-214413.Ciocca DR, Roig LM. Estrogen receptors in human nontarget tissues: biological and clinical implications. Endocr Rev 1995;16:35–62.CioccaDR]]RoigLMEstrogen receptors in human nontarget tissues: biological and clinical implications.Endocr Rev19951635-6214.Singh M, Meyer EM, Millard WJ, et al. Ovarian steroid deprivation results in a reversible learning impairment and compromised cholinergic function in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Brain Res 1994;644:305–312.SinghM]]MeyerEM]]MillardWJ&etal;Ovarian steroid deprivation results in a reversible learning impairment and compromised cholinergic function in female Sprague-Dawley rats.Brain Res1994644305-31215.Honjo H, Tamura T, Matsumoto Y, et al. Estrogen as a growth factor to central nervous cells. Estrogen treatment promotes development of acetylcholinesterase-positive basal forebrain neurons transplanted in the anterior eye chamber. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1992;41:633–635.HonjoH]]TamuraT]]MatsumotoY&etal;Estrogen as a growth factor to central nervous cells. Estrogen treatment promotes development of acetylcholinesterase-positive basal forebrain neurons transplanted in the anterior eye chamber.J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol199241633-63516.McEwen BS, Woolley CS. Estradiol and progesterone regulate neuronal structure and synaptic connectivity in adult as well as developing brain. Exp Gerontol 1994;29:431–436.McEwenBS]]WoolleyCSEstradiol and progesterone regulate neuronal structure and synaptic connectivity in adult as well as developing brain.Exp Gerontol199429431-43617.Matsumoto A. Synaptogenic action of sex steroids in developing and adult neuroendocrine brain. Psychoneuroendocrinology 1991;16:25–40.MatsumotoASynaptogenic action of sex steroids in developing and adult neuroendocrine brain.Psychoneuroendocrinology19911625-4018.Applebaum-Bowden D, McLean P, Steinmetz A, et al. Lipoprotein, apolipoprotein, and lipolytic enzyme changes following estrogen administration in postmenopausal women. J Lipid Res 1989;30:1895–1906.Applebaum-BowdenD]]McLeanP]]SteinmetzA&etal;Lipoprotein, apolipoprotein, and lipolytic enzyme changes following estrogen administration in postmenopausal women.J Lipid Res1989301895-190619.Hampson E. Variations in sex-related cognitive abilities across the menstrual cycle. Brain Cogn 1990;14:26–43.HampsonEVariations in sex-related cognitive abilities across the menstrual cycle.Brain Cogn19901426-4320.Paganini-Hill A, Henderson VW. Estrogen replacement therapy and risk of Alzheimer disease. Arch Intern Med 1996;156:2213–2217.Paganini-HillA]]HendersonVWEstrogen replacement therapy and risk of Alzheimer disease.Arch Intern Med19961562213-221721.Barrett-Connor E, Kritz-Silverstein D. Estrogen replacement therapy and cognitive function in older women. JAMA 1993;269:2637–2641.Barrett-ConnorE]]Kritz-SilversteinDEstrogen replacement therapy and cognitive function in older women.JAMA19932692637-264122.Henderson VW, Paganini-Hill A, Miller BL, et al. Estrogen for Alzheimer’s disease in women: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Neurology 2000;54:295–301.HendersonVW]]Paganini-HillA]]MillerBL&etal;Estrogen for Alzheimer’s disease in women: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Neurology200054295-30123.Breuer B, Anderson R. The relationship of tamoxifen with dementia, depression and dependence in activities of daily living in elderly nursing home residents. Women Health 2000;31:71–85.BreuerB]]AndersonRThe relationship of tamoxifen with dementia, depression and dependence in activities of daily living in elderly nursing home residents.Women Health20003171-8524.Paganini-Hill A, Clark LJ. Preliminary assessment of cognitive function in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2000;64:165–176.Paganini-HillA]]ClarkLJPreliminary assessment of cognitive function in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen.Breast Cancer Res Treat200064165-17625.Jenkins V, Shilling V, Fallowfield L, et al. Does hormone therapy for the treatment of breast cancer have a detrimental effect on memory and cognition? A pilot study. Psychooncology 2004;13:61–66.JenkinsV]]ShillingV]]FallowfieldL&etal;Does hormone therapy for the treatment of breast cancer have a detrimental effect on memory and cognition? A pilot study.Psychooncology20041361-6626.Matsuda T, Takayama T, Tashiro M, et al. Mild cognitive impairment after adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients—evaluation of appropriate research design and methodology to measure symptoms. Breast Cancer 2005;12:279–287.MatsudaT]]TakayamaT]]TashiroM&etal;Mild cognitive impairment after adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients—evaluation of appropriate research design and methodology to measure symptoms.Breast Cancer200512279-28727.Meyers CA, Byrne KS, Komaki R. Cognitive deficits in patients with small cell lung cancer before and after chemotherapy. Lung Cancer 1995;12:231–235.MeyersCA]]ByrneKS]]KomakiRCognitive deficits in patients with small cell lung cancer before and after chemotherapy.Lung Cancer199512231-23528.Cimprich B, Ronis DL. Attention and symptom distress in women with and without breast cancer. Nurs Res 2001;50:86–94.CimprichB]]RonisDLAttention and symptom distress in women with and without breast cancer.Nurs Res20015086-9429.Minisini A, Atalay G, Bottomley A, et al. What is the effect of systemic anticancer treatment on cognitive function? Lancet Oncol 2004;5:273–282.MinisiniA]]AtalayG]]BottomleyA&etal;What is the effect of systemic anticancer treatment on cognitive function?Lancet Oncol20045273-28230.Jacobsen PB, Garland LL, Booth-Jones M, et al. Relationship of hemoglobin levels to fatigue and cognitive functioning among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. J Pain Symptom Manage 2004;28:7–18.JacobsenPB]]GarlandLL]]Booth-JonesM&etal;Relationship of hemoglobin levels to fatigue and cognitive functioning among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.J Pain Symptom Manage2004287-1831.Servaes P, Verhagen CA, Bleijenberg G. Relations between fatigue, neuropsychological functioning, and physical activity after treatment for breast carcinoma: daily self-report and objective behavior. Cancer 2002;95:2017–2026.ServaesP]]VerhagenCA]]BleijenbergGRelations between fatigue, neuropsychological functioning, and physical activity after treatment for breast carcinoma: daily self-report and objective behavior.Cancer2002952017-202632.Bruera E, Fainsinger RL, Miller MJ, et al. The assessment of pain intensity in patients with cognitive failure: a preliminary report. J Pain Symptom Manage 1992;7:267–270.BrueraE]]FainsingerRL]]MillerMJ&etal;The assessment of pain intensity in patients with cognitive failure: a preliminary report.J Pain Symptom Manage19927267-27033.Ahles TA, Saykin AJ. Breast cancer chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction. Clin Breast Cancer 2002;3(suppl 3):S84–S90.AhlesTA]]SaykinAJBreast cancer chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction.Clin Breast Cancer20023S84-S9034.Vardy J, Wong K, Yi QL, et al. Assessing cognitive function in cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 2006;14:1111–1118.VardyJ]]WongK]]YiQL&etal;Assessing cognitive function in cancer patients.Support Care Cancer2006141111-111835.Fogel BS. The high sensitivity cognitive screen. Int Psychogeriatr 1991;3:273–288.FogelBSThe high sensitivity cognitive screen.Int Psychogeriatr19913273-28836.Collie A, Maruff P, Darby DG, et al. The effects of practice on the cognitive test performance of neurologically normal individuals assessed at brief test-retest intervals. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2003;9:419–428.CollieA]]MaruffP]]DarbyDG&etal;The effects of practice on the cognitive test performance of neurologically normal individuals assessed at brief test-retest intervals.J Int Neuropsychol Soc20039419-42837.Erlanger D, Feldman D, Kutner K, et al. Development and validation of a web-based neuropsychological test protocol for sports-related return-to-play decision-making. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2003;18:293–316.ErlangerD]]FeldmanD]]KutnerK&etal;Development and validation of a web-based neuropsychological test protocol for sports-related return-to-play decision-making.Arch Clin Neuropsychol200318293-31638.Silverman DH, Dy CJ, Castellon SA, et al. Altered frontocortical, cerebellar, and basal ganglia activity in adjuvant-treated breast cancer survivors 5–10 years after chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2007;103:303–311.SilvermanDH]]DyCJ]]CastellonSA&etal;Altered frontocortical, cerebellar, and basal ganglia activity in adjuvant-treated breast cancer survivors 5–10 years after chemotherapy.Breast Cancer Res Treat2007103303-31139.Saykin AJ, Ahles TA, McDonald BC. Mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced cognitive disorders: neurosychological, pathophysiological and neuroimaging perspectives. Semin Clin Neuropsychiatry 2003;8:201–216.SaykinAJ]]AhlesTA]]McDonaldBCMechanisms of chemotherapy-induced cognitive disorders: neurosychological, pathophysiological and neuroimaging perspectives.Semin Clin Neuropsychiatry20038201-21640.Inagaki M, Yoshikawa E, Matsuoka Y, et al. Smaller regional volumes of brain grey and white matter demonstrated in breast cancer survivors exposed to adjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer 2007;109:146–156.InagakiM]]YoshikawaE]]MatsuokaY&etal;Smaller regional volumes of brain grey and white matter demonstrated in breast cancer survivors exposed to adjuvant chemotherapy.Cancer2007109146-15641.Berglund G, Bolund C, Fornander T, et al. Late effects of adjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy on quality of life among breast cancer patients. Eur J Cancer 1991;27:1075–1081.BerglundG]]BolundC]]FornanderT&etal;Late effects of adjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy on quality of life among breast cancer patients.Eur J Cancer1991271075-108142.Schagen SB, Muller MJ, Boogerd W, et al. Late effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on cognitive function: a follow-up study in breast cancer patients. Ann Oncol 2002;13:1387–1397.SchagenSB]]MullerMJ]]BoogerdW&etal;Late effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on cognitive function: a follow-up study in breast cancer patients.Ann Oncol2002131387-139743.Taillibert S, Voillery D, Bernard-Marty C. Chemobrain: is systemic chemotherapy neurotoxic? Curr Opin Oncol 2007;19:623–627.TaillibertS]]VoilleryD]]Bernard-MartyCChemobrain: is systemic chemotherapy neurotoxic?Curr Opin Oncol200719623-62744.Mar Fan HG, Clemons M, Xu W, et al. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of the effects of d-methylphenidate on fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 2008;16:577–583.Mar FanHG]]ClemonsM]]XuW&etal;A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of the effects of d-methylphenidate on fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.Support Care Cancer200816577-58345.Vardy J, Wefel JS, Ahles T, et al. Cancer and cancer-therapy related cognitive dysfunction: an international perspective from the Venice cognitive workshop. Ann Oncol 2008;19:623–629.VardyJ]]WefelJS]]AhlesT&etal;Cancer and cancer-therapy related cognitive dysfunction: an international perspective from the Venice cognitive workshop.Ann Oncol200819623-629