Abstract

Cognitive decline in breast cancer patients can occur treatment related or non-treatment related. Disturbance of cognition can occur before start of any cancer therapy or in association with breast cancer therapy (e.g., radiation, hormonal therapy). Risk factors include a patient's characteristics, such as psychological and genetic parameters other than the impact of cancer and cancer therapy. Incidence of cognitive disturbance in patients who receive chemotherapy is higher than patients receiving hormonal therapy, according to several surveys. Hypothesis of cognitive dysfunction includes increased systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons and Oxidative damage. Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction were more frequent in women who received high-dose chemotherapy, so that cognitive impairment is considered as treatment toxicity. Cognitive dysfunction was common among breast cancer patients as a toxic effect of chemotherapy. Complex attention, executive function, learning and memory are common affected domains. Pharmacologic treatment of cognitive dysfunction includes medication for dementia but without conclusive efficacy. Also, physical exercise is considered a suitable intervention, but has not been efficiently evaluated.