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Neuropsychological Consequences of Cancer and Cancer Treatment

Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Dona E. C. Locke

Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic
Scottsdale, AZ

Purpose: This review paper was written to facilitate greater understanding of functional cognitive deficits associated with cancer and cancer treatment. Rehabilitation of patients with cancer also has been considered in this review to raise awareness of this potentially underserved population.

Method: A review of the literature pertaining to cognitive effects of cancer and cancer therapy was conducted.

Results and Conclusions: A growing literature suggests the phenomenon popularly called "chemo brain" results from dysfunction of frontal-subcortical networks and manifests as deficits of executive functioning (e.g., reasoning, decision-making, resource allocation), processing speed, inhibition, and goal-oriented behaviors. Further research is needed, however, to attribute clearly these broad cognitive side effects to the disease process and each of several treatments and to establish the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation for patients with cancer.