Self-reported cognitive problems in testicular cancer patients: relation to neuropsychological performance, fatigue, and psychological distress.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

There is a concern about negative cognitive effects of systemic chemotherapy. We prospectively explored self-reported cognitive problems in testicular cancer patients (TCPs) treated with and without chemotherapy.

METHODS:

One hundred and twenty-two TCPs were interviewed about concentration and memory problems shortly after orchidectomy but before any additional treatment (baseline), and then at a median of 1 year after end of treatment (follow-up). Symptoms of psychological distress, fatigue, and peripheral neurotoxicity were assessed by questionnaires, and patients also underwent neuropsychological testing. Self-reported cognitive problems were compared between three treatments groups: no chemotherapy, one cycle of chemotherapy, and multiple cycles of chemotherapy. Variables associated with an increase of self-reported cognitive problems from baseline to follow-up were explored.

RESULTS:

Significantly larger proportions of TCPs in the two chemotherapy groups had an increase of self-reported cognitive problems from baseline to follow-up compared to the no-chemotherapy group. Increase of self-reported cognitive problems was significantly associated with psychological distress, fatigue, lower level of education, and Raynaud-like symptoms, but not with a decline in neuropsychological test performance.

CONCLUSION:

In this explorative study of TCPs, an increase of self-reported cognitive problems from baseline to 1-year follow-up was associated with chemotherapy and with symptoms of fatigue and psychological distress at follow-up, while no significant association was found with a decline in neuropsychological test performance.

• Authors: Tone Skaali, Sophie D Fosså, Stein Andersson, Milada Cvancarova, Carl W Langberg, Gustav Lehne, Alv A Dahl
• Journal: Journal of psychosomatic research (J Psychosom Res) Vol. 70 Issue 5 Pg. 403-10 (May 2011) ISSN: 1879-1360 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21511070 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cognition Disorders (complications, psychology)
• Fatigue (complications, psychology)
• Humans
• Interview, Psychological
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Orchiectomy
• Personality
• Quality of Life
• Self Report
• Stress, Psychological (complications, psychology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Testicular Neoplasms (complications, psychology, surgery)