Cancer treatment can mess with your brain

In this study, 189 women who had been recently diagnosed and had just finished their chemotherapy, were interviewed and tested. About one in five of these women complained about their memory and ability to organize and plan (called “executive function”). In general those women who complained of memory problems showed deficiencies on memory tests. Those with executive function complaints did better but still did not perform up to standard on the tests. The researchers concluded that “chemo brain” is a real phenomenon. There probably isn’t much that will change because of these studies. Kids with leukemia are much less likely to get radiation to the brain except for special circumstances. Those kids who do get radiation will need to know they might have problems and perhaps adjust their goals in life. I once had a very bright young man with leukemia who received radiation to his brain. Before the treatment he had highly developed math skills and was planning to be a mathematician. Afterwards, his math skills dropped off and realized he had to aim lower, so planned on going into medicine instead. And women who will still receive chemotherapy for breast cancer will also need to adjust. But at least the women will know that their problem with thinking and remembering isn’t imaginary and is in most cases, temporary.
Source: Dr.Kattlove's Cancer Blog - Category: Oncologists Source Type: blogs