Overview
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.
Though chemo
brain is a widely used term, the causes of concentration and memory problems
aren't well-understood. It's likely that there are multiple causes.
No matter the
cause, chemo brain can be a frustrating and debilitating side effect of cancer
and its treatment. Researchers are working to understand the memory changes
that people with cancer experience.
Products & Services
·
Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition
Symptoms
Signs and
symptoms of chemo brain may include the following:
·
Being unusually disorganized
·
Confusion
·
Difficulty concentrating
·
Difficulty finding the right word
·
Difficulty learning new skills
·
Difficulty multitasking
·
Feeling of mental fogginess
·
Short attention span
·
Short-term memory problems
·
Taking longer than usual to complete
routine tasks
·
Trouble with verbal memory, such as
remembering a conversation
·
Trouble with visual memory, such as
recalling an image or list of words
When to see a doctor
If you
experience troubling memory or thinking problems, make an appointment with your
doctor. Keep a journal of your signs and symptoms so that your doctor can
better understand how your memory problems are affecting your everyday life.
Request
an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Causes
There are
many possible factors that might contribute to the signs and symptoms of memory
problems in cancer survivors.
Cancer-related
causes could include:
Cancer
·
A cancer diagnosis can be quite
stressful and it might lead to anxiety and depression, which can contribute to
thinking and memory problems
·
Certain cancers can produce
chemicals that affect memory
·
Cancers that begin in the brain or
spread to the brain might cause changes in thinking
Cancer treatments
·
Bone marrow transplant
·
Chemotherapy
·
Hormone therapy
·
Immunotherapy
·
Radiation therapy
·
Surgery
·
Targeted drug therapy
Complications of cancer treatment
·
Anemia
·
Fatigue
·
Infection
·
Menopause or other hormonal changes
(caused by cancer treatment)
·
Sleep problems
·
Pain due to cancer treatments
Other causes
·
Inherited susceptibility to chemo
brain
·
Medications for other cancer-related
signs and symptoms, such as pain medications
·
Other medical conditions, such as
diabetes, thyroid problems, depression, anxiety and nutritional deficiency
Risk
factors
Factors that
may increase the risk of memory problems in cancer survivors include:
·
Brain cancer
·
Cancer that spreads (metastasizes)
to the brain
·
Higher doses of chemotherapy or
radiation
·
Radiation therapy to the brain
·
Younger age at time of cancer
diagnosis and treatment
·
Increasing age
Complications
The severity
and duration of the symptoms sometimes described as chemo brain differ from
person to person. Most cancer survivors will return to work, but some will find
tasks take extra concentration or time. Others may be unable to return to work.
If you
experience severe memory or concentration problems that make it difficult to do
your job, tell your doctor. You may be referred to an occupational therapist or
a neuropsychologist, who can help you adjust to your current job or identify
your strengths so that you may find a new job.
In rare cases,
people with memory and concentration problems are unable to work and may
consider applying for disability benefits. Ask your health care team for a
referral to an oncology social worker or a similar professional who can help
you understand your options.
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