This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a colleague Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Rights & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kohli, S. Articles by Morrow, G. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Kohli, S. Articles by Morrow, G. R.

Self-Reported Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Cancer

James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester, Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY

Address reprint requests to: Sadhna Kohli, PhD, University of Rochester Cancer Center, Cancer Control Program, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 704, Rochester, NY 14642; Sadhna_kohli{at}urmc.rochester.edu

Purpose: Cancer patients often report cognitive impairment, manifested as problems with concentration and memory, following cancer therapy. As part of a large multicenter survey of cancer patients undergoing treatment, we investigated the frequency and severity of self-reported problems with memory and concentration over time.

Methods: A total of 595 patients undergoing treatment for solid tumors self-rated problems with memory and concentration, using an 11-point Likert scale (0 = "not present" to 10 = "as bad as you can imagine") at baseline before treatment began (T1), at their worst during treatment (T2), and at 6 months following treatment (T3). Any symptom level 7 was classified as "severe." Paired or independent t tests (as appropriate) with a Bonferroni correction were used to examine differences in symptoms over time and between patients treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both.

Results: Concentration problems were reported by 48% of the 595 participants at T1 (5% severe), 67% at T2 (18% severe), and 58% (8% severe) at T3. Problems with memory were reported by 53% at T1 (4% severe), 67% (18% severe) at T2, and 68% (11% severe) at T3. The average frequency and severity of both symptoms in patients receiving chemotherapy, with or without radiation, increased significantly between T1 and T2 (P < .001). Both symptoms were less severe in patients receiving radiation alone at all three measurements than in either of the chemotherapy groups (all P values < .001). Symptoms at T3 were significantly higher than T1 for all groups (P < .001).

Conclusion: A significant proportion of patients undergoing cancer therapy self-report problems with memory and concentration. Cognitive problems get worse during treatment and are still in evidence 6 months following the conclusion of treatments.