ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: As developments in cancer treatment have improved outcomes, research has increasingly focused on the role of cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in quality of life for cancer survivors. Impairment profiles have been heterogeneous across studies, necessitating the study of these effects across different cohorts. The purpose of this preliminary study is to compare the memory profiles of Northeast Ontario breast and CNS cancer patients, as there is no literature which exists for profiling CRCI within this largely rural region. METHODS: Sixty-three outpatients with breast cancer (n = 32) or CNS tumors (n = 30) at the Northeast Cancer Centre in Sudbury, Canada, were administered a neuropsychological test battery as part of their clinical examination. Domains measured within this study included attention and concentration, processing speed, motor function, language skills, verbal and visual memory, and executive functioning. RESULTS: Participants with brain tumors scored poorer on most neuropsychological measures than participants with breast cancer. Initial verbal memory for individuals with breast cancer was lower than delayed recall and recognition trials. Trial 1 performance for this group was also negatively correlated with self-reported anxiety scores. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with the literature, participants with breast cancer obtained higher scores on most test measures than participants with CNC tumors. Breast cancer participants had lower verbal memory scores on initial trials compared to delayed recall, potentially due to relationships with anxiety and attention. Further research into this cohort will strive to gain greater understanding of the patterns of deficits experienced and how these may inform individuals with cancer in other regions.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/epidemiology , Brain Neoplasms/psychology , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Cognitive Dysfunction/epidemiology , Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology , Adult , Aged , Anxiety/epidemiology , Anxiety/psychology , Brain Neoplasms/complications , Breast Neoplasms/complications , Cognition/physiology , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Cohort Studies , Executive Function/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Memory/physiology , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Ontario/epidemiology , Quality of Life , Self ReportSubject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/complications , Cancer Survivors/psychology , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Adult , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Caregivers/psychology , Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology , Female , Humans , Mental Status and Dementia Tests , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Quality of Life , Self ReportABSTRACT
We present a case study of an individual diagnosed with isolated neurosarcoidosis, a rare granulomatous condition of unknown aetiology. Although the extant medical literature on this disease is adequate, no study has focused on the neuropsychological sequelae involved with such an inflammatory disorder. The case described herein is of a 57-year-old woman who participated in a neuropsychological evaluation following complaints of recurring cognitive difficulties. Results of the assessment revealed moderate difficulties in effortful word retrieval and recall of unstructured verbal information, as well as some mild mental rigidity, slowing, and subtle difficulties with attention. Her neuropsychological profile is discussed in terms of neuroanatomic lesion localization and clinical diagnostic implications.
