The influence of adjuvant chemotherapy on cognitive functioning of women with breast cancer: a literature review

Abstract

In recent years attention has been paid to the occurrence of deterioration of cognitive functioning after chemotherapy.
The aim of this work is to analyze results of previously conducted studies of the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on
cognitive performance of women treated for breast cancer. We have analyzed the results of 40 neuropsychological
studies published to June 2011. Women with breast cancer who were treated with chemotherapy were found to
experience some kind of deterioration in attention, memory and language skills. The results indicate that subjectively
perceived cognitive deficits are associated with distress accompanying cancer and its treatment. In the majority of
studies of cognitive functioning using neuropsychological tests deterioration in attention, processing speed, memory,
visuo-spatial functions and language skills has been demonstrated. No correlation has been found between
deterioration of cognitive functioning and level of depression and anxiety, fatigue, hormonal status and quality of life.