In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate cancer-related cognitive (thinking and reasoning) impairment in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This study concluded that disease biology may contribute to cancer-related cognitive impairment, independent of treatment.
Some background
Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has not been assessed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CRCI can include lapse in memory and attention, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.
It was unknown how much of CRCI is attributed to disease, treatment, or both in patients with CLL.
Methods & findings
This study involved 150 patients with CLL. 100 patients had received no previous treatment and 50 had been treated with chemotherapy. 84 patients involved were classed as higher-risk of CLL progression. All patients completed neuropsychological tests. These tests look at brain function and deficits.
Higher-risk patients had worse scores on memory, attention and executive function tasks when compared to lower-risk patients.
Treated patients had slightly greater cognitive difficulties when compared to treatment-naïve patients. However, they did not perform worse on objective measures.
The bottom line
This study concluded that high-risk patients with CLL experienced cognitive impairments suggesting that disease biology contributes to CRCI, independent of treatment.
What’s next?
If you have concerns regarding cognitive function, please discuss this with your doctor.
Published By :
Leukemia & lymphoma
Date :
Mar 09, 2020
