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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffIt's not clear what causes signs and symptoms of memory problems in cancer survivors. Cancer-related causes could include:
Cancer treatments
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Stem cell transplant
- Surgery
Complications of cancer treatment
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Infection
- Menopause (associated with hormone therapy)
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Sleep problems, such as insomnia
Emotional reactions to cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Anxiety
- Depression
Other causes
- Inherited susceptibility to chemo brain
- Medications for other cancer-related signs and symptoms, such as pain medications
References
- Vardy J, et al. Cognitive function after chemotherapy in adults with solid tumors. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology. 2007;63:183.
- Vardy J, et al. Evaluation of cognitive function associated with chemotherapy: A review of published studies and recommendations for future research. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2007;25:2455.
- Definition of a neuropsychologist. National Academy of Neuropsychology. http://www.nanonline.org/NAN/Files/PAIC/PDFs/NANPositionDefNeuro.pdf. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.
- Vardy J, et al. Cancer and cancer-therapy related cognitive dysfunction: An international perspective from the Venice cognitive workshop. Annals of Oncology. 2008;19:623.
- Taillibert S, et al. Chemobrain: Is systemic chemotherapy neurotoxic? Current Opinion in Oncology. 2007;19:623.
- Hurria A, et al. Renaming "chemobrain." Cancer Investigation. 2007;25:373.
- Improving your concentration: Three key steps. CancerCare. http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_chemobrain_concentration.pdf. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010.
- Combating chemobrain: Keeping your memory sharp. CancerCare. http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_chemobrain_memory.pdf. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010.
- Cognitive problems. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Treating+Cancer/Managing+Side+Effects/Cognitive+Problems. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010.
- Ginkgo. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010.
- Vitamin E. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010.
- Brown PD, et al. Neurocognitive effects. In: DeVita TJ Jr, et al. DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:2751.
- Ganz PA. Cancer Survivorship: Today and Tomorrow. New York, N.Y.: Springer; 2007:59.
- Ferguson RJ, et al. Management of chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction. In: Feuerstein M. Handbook of Cancer Survivorship. New York, N.Y.: Springer; 2007:287.
- Chang G, et al. Mental status changes after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cancer. 2009;115:4625.
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