Chemotherapy 'could cause brain damage' in breast cancer patients

Study discovers patients who had undergone treatment had significantly less activity in parts of the brain responsible for memory and planning
Findings could explain 'chemo brain' - a term used to describe foggy thinking and memory lapses following chemotherapy

Last updated at 4:10 PM on 15th November 2011

Evidence suggests that breast cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy are left with damaged brain function

Chemotherapy could cause brain damage in breast cancer patients scientists have warned.

A groundbreaking study discovered that breast cancer patients who had undergone the treatment - which uses medicine to kill cancerous cells - had significantly less activity in parts of the brain responsible for memory and planning compared to those who were not treated.

Researchers from Stanford University believe the findings could explain the phenomenon 'chemo brain' - a term used to describe foggy thinking and memory lapses following chemotherapy sessions.

Lead author Shelli Kesler said: 'This is a huge validation for these women who are telling their doctors 'something is wrong with me.''

The study involved 25 breast cancer patients who had been treated with chemotherapy, 19 breast cancer patients who had surgery and other treatments, and 18 healthy women.

All were asked to perform a card-sorting task, involving problem-solving skills while their brain activity was monitored through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

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Each participant was also asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their own cognitive abilities.

The 25 patients who had been treated with chemotherapy, made more errors on the task and the scans revealed reduced activity in parts of the brain responsible for working memory, cognitive control, monitoring and planning.

Findings could explain the phenomenon 'chemo brain' - a term used to describe foggy thinking and memory lapses following chemotherapy sessions

Kesler added: 'This shows that when a patient reports she's struggling with these types of problems, there's a good chance there has been a brain change.'

The study, published in the Archives of Neurology supports previous findings, and cancer patients have long complained of neurological side effects such as short-term memory loss and, in extreme cases, vision loss, and even dementia following chemotherapy.

But doctors have traditionally dismissed these complaints attributing them to stress caused by cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Kesler said that the next step is to start investigating which patients are most vulnerable to these types of deficits caused by chemotherapy administered either in tablet form, or via an injection or infusion directly into a vein.

A 2008 study by the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and Harvard Medical School linked the widely used chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to the deterioration of healthy brain cells.

Lead author Mark Noble said: 'It is clear that, in some patients, chemotherapy appears to trigger a degenerative condition in the central nervous system.'

'It is critical that we understand their precise impact on the central nervous system, and then use this knowledge as the basis for discovering means of preventing such side effects.'

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10 yrs ago i had chemo for lymphoma and I have had memory problems since then. Interesting to read other's comments after the article. During the treatment I had chemo brain, but assumed it would go afterwards. Short term memory can be a bit of a problem, but you get used to it. Nerve endings in fingers also got damaged. For most people it is not a long term problem, but for some of us it can be. Was amazed that someone else has now got trouble with spelling. I often have to think about a word now!! However, it all reminds me that I am alive and when my fingers hurt when it is cold, or I have to write things down in order to remember - I feel grateful!! I am still here and enjoying life. Huge thank you to the staff at James Cook hospital, Middlesbrough

- anne, whitby england, 16/11/2011 00:36

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I had chemo 11 years ago for breast cancer. I noticed a reduction in my cognitive function whilst having the treatment but this was attributed to stress and shock. As the years have passed, my memory has declined significantly and I really struggle to find the words I want to use. I often forget the names of people I know very well, social gatherings are a nightmare and my confidence has been badly affected. My oncologist says that there is "some" anecdotal evidence to show that chemo has this effect, however, here I am 11 years later, I am glad that i chose the chemical route.

- Caro, Norwich, 16/11/2011 00:08

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My aunt and a friend both died of cancer,both fought and won there breast cancer only to die of cancer of the brain,both under 50.My aunt was told by her doctors that she had a 12% chance of surviving the chemo,yep this stuff but it kill you too:(

- Michele, hoping for a cure to all cancers., 16/11/2011 00:00

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- bluebear9, UK, 15/11/2011 23:05

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I can agree with this. Since having chemo 4 years ago my cognitive function has only been about 85% of what it was, especially with regard to short term memory and things like spelling and punctuation. The latter two are the most frustrating as I never had a problem before, rarely used a dictionary and never used a spellchecker. I also walk into rooms and cannot remember why I went in there. I get some benefit from taking ginkyo biloba and I keep my mind active by doing crosswords etc., but when I mention this to GPs they just tell me it's because I'm now post menopausal. Sometimes I have to really think about the words I want to use and have to work round it. All I can say is, try getting someone to take it seriously.

- Linda, Fife, 15/11/2011 17:40

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It's not just breast cancer patients. My mother had chemotherapy for lymphoma and suffered the same complaints as memory loss and confusion. Her doctor called it chemo-brain. That was the first time I heard that term and that was about three years ago.

- maggie, Seattle U.S.A., 15/11/2011 17:14

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