Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

It's not clear what causes signs and symptoms of memory problems in cancer survivors. Cancer-related causes could include:

Cancer treatments

  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery

Complications of cancer treatment

  • Anemia
  • Fatigue
  • Infection
  • Menopause
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Sleep problems, such as insomnia

Emotional reactions to cancer diagnosis and treatment

  • Anxiety
  • Depression

Other causes

  • Inherited susceptibility to chemo brain
  • Medications for other cancer-related signs and symptoms, such as pain medications
Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Vardy J, et al. Cognitive function after chemotherapy in adults with solid tumors. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology. 2007;63(3):183-202.
  2. Vardy J, et al. Evaluation of cognitive function associated with chemotherapy: A review of published studies and recommendations for future research. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2007;25(17):2455-2463.
  3. Definition of a neuropsychologist. National Academy of Neuropsychology. http://www.nanonline.org/NAN/PAIC/PositionPapers/DefinitionofaNeuropsychologist.aspx. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
  4. Vardy J, et al. Cancer and cancer-therapy related cognitive dysfunction: An international perspective from the Venice cognitive workshop. Annals of Oncology. 2008;19(4):623-629.
  5. Taillibert S, et al. Chemobrain: Is systemic chemotherapy neurotoxic? Current Opinion in Oncology. 2007;19(6):623-627.
  6. Hurria A, et al. Renaming "chemobrain." Cancer Investigation. 2007;25(6):373-377.
  7. Cognitive problems after chemotherapy. CancerCare. http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_chemobrain_cognitive.pdf. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
  8. Doctor, can we talk about chemobrain? CancerCare. http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_chemobrain_doctor_talk.pdf. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
  9. Ways to improve concentration: Three key steps. CancerCare. http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_chemobrain_concentration.pdf. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
  10. Combating chemobrain: Keeping your memory sharp. CancerCare. http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/fact_sheets/fs_chemobrain_memory.pdf. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
  11. Cognitive changes. Lance Armstrong Foundation. http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2660693/k.2D96/Physical_Effects_Cognitive_Changes.htm. Accessed Aug. 25, 2008.
  12. Cognitive problems. Cancer.Net. http://www.asco.org/patient/Diagnosis+and+Treatment/Treating+Cancer/Managing+Side+Effects/Cognitive+Problems. Accessed Aug. 25, 2008.
  13. Ginkgo. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
  14. Vitamin E. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Aug. 28, 2008.
  15. Brown PD, et al. Neurocognitive effects. In: DeVita TJ, et al. Cancer Principles & Practice of Oncology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:2751-2756.
  16. Ganz PA. Cancer Survivorship. New York, N.Y.: Springer; 2007:59-60.
  17. Ferguson RJ, et al. Management of chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction. In: Feuerstein M. Handbook of Cancer Survivorship. New York, NY: Springer; 2007:287-301.
  18. Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 9, 2008.
  19. Creagan ET (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 11, 2008.

DS01109

Oct. 11, 2008

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger