Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy may cause difficulty with thinking, concentrating, or remembering things. So can some types of radiation therapy to the brain and immunotherapy. These cognitive problems may start during or after cancer treatment.
For most patients, chemobrain improves within 9-12 months after completing chemotherapy, but many people still have symptoms at the six-month mark.
However, sometimes memory loss can be severe enough that it interferes with daily tasks. This is especially true for cancer patients and those who have undergone chemotherapy. This forgetfulness that many cancer patients experience is called chemo brain, a phenomena that mimics many symptoms of dementia.
Chemo brain is most commonly connected with chemotherapy, but other treatments, such as hormone therapy, radiation, and surgery may be associated with it also. These treatments can cause short-term, long-term, or delayed mental changes or cognitive problems.
Chemo brain is a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur during and after cancer treatment. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction.
Most of the time, chemo brain is a short-term issue, but some people may have the symptoms for months after they've finished treatment. Healthcare providers can't cure chemotherapy brain fog, but they can recommend medications or therapy and activities that may help lift the fog of chemo brain.
Try crossword puzzles or number games to exercise your brain. Take up a new hobby or master a new skill, such as learning to play a musical instrument or learning a language. Exercise your body. Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, can help you cope with stress, fatigue and depression.
Chemo brain can occur during or after chemotherapy treatment. Delirium may occur suddenly during treatment. Delirium usually happens after an identified cause, such as chemotherapy, and it is often reversible. Dementia due to cancer treatment comes on gradually over time and usually after treatment is completed.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause long-term side effects to the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These include: Hearing loss from high doses of chemotherapy, especially drugs like cisplatin (multiple brand names) Increased risk of stroke from high doses of radiation to the brain.
Chemo brain is extremely common, says Dr. Arash Asher, director of Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship at Cedars-Sinai. "As many as 75% of cancer patients have experienced it during their treatment," says Dr. Asher.
This recent study shows that survivors with a history of chemotherapy treatment had a significantly higher probability of developing Alzheimer's compared to those who were not treated for cancer.
Low doses of the chemotherapy drugs killed 60 percent to 90 percent of brain cells called oligodendrocyte precursor cells and neuron precursor cells, but had little effect on most of the cancer cells. To kill 80 percent of cancer cells, doses that killed 70 percent to 100 percent of the brain cells were required.
Michelle Monje and her colleagues found that the chemotherapy drug methotrexate can affect three major types of brain cells, resulting in a phenomenon known as "chemo brain." More than half of cancer survivors suffer from cognitive impairment from chemotherapy that lingers for months or years after the cancer is gone.
A return to normalcy is typical, but it takes a while – usually six months or so. “All who have done chemo do finally get back to normal,” Patricia said. “Treatment for breast cancer can take a whole year, but six months after it ends, life comes back – incisions heal, hair grows back, chemo brain fog lifts.”
Fatigue caused by chemotherapy may last for some weeks or months after a treatment cycle ends. Many people find that their energy levels return to normal within 6–12 months of treatment ending. While fatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy, it can also be a symptom of depression.
Some cancers are difficult to treat and have high rates of recurrence. Glioblastoma, for example, recurs in nearly all patients, despite treatment. The rate of recurrence among patients with ovarian cancer is also high at 85%.
Cancer treatments can lead to accelerated aging by inciting hallmarks of aging, including telomere attrition, stem cell exhaustion, cellular senescence, DNA damage, and epigenetic alterations [6,7].
So, it is not surprising that many people feel that they age dramatically during chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, the epidermis loses its ability to hold on to moisture, which leads to fine lines in the skin's surface. In the dermis, the collagen and elastin break down, which weakens the skin's support structure.
Emotional and mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, and having trouble sleeping can add to that foggy feeling. Chemo brain can also intensify feelings of frustration or anger. That's OK. These feelings can be managed.
Choose foods that promote healthy brain functioning such as fish (omega-3 fatty acids), dark leafy greens, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid alcohol and other substances that alter cognition.
Drinking lots of fluids and eating well can help keep your energy reserves up. If nausea and vomiting make it hard to eat, talk to your doctor about these side effects. Get moving. Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, riding a bike and swimming, throughout the week may help you preserve your energy level.
Here are some signs that chemotherapy may not be working as well as expected: tumors aren't shrinking. new tumors keep forming. cancer is spreading to new areas.
Chemo brain can cause thinking and memory problems. Symptoms include trouble with: Concentrating and paying attention. Remembering names, dates, and everyday things.
The effects of chemo are cumulative. They get worse with each cycle.