Neuropsychological function in high-risk breast cancer survivors after stem-cell supported high-dose therapy versus standard-dose chemotherapy: evaluation of long-term treatment effects.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Neuropsychological function in high-risk breast cancer survivors after stem-cell supported high-dose therapy versus standard-dose chemotherapy: evaluation of long-term treatment effects.

AU - Scherwath, Angela

AU - Mehnert, Anja

AU - Schleimer, B

AU - Schirmer, Lena

AU - Fehlauer, F

AU - Kreienberg, R

AU - Metzner, B

AU - Thiel, E

AU - Zander, Axel R.

AU - Schulz-Kindermann, Frank

AU - Koch, U

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - BACKGROUND: Studies on cognitive functioning in breast cancer patients point out that a subset of women exhibit chemotherapy-related neuropsychological impairment. Thereby, high-dose therapy may elevate the risk of cognitive dysfunctions. The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of high-dose versus standard-dose chemotherapy on the late neuropsychological outcome in randomized assigned high-risk breast cancer survivors. Next to focusing prevalence, function specificity and extent of cognitive impairment, the question as to whether doses-dependent group differences occur was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four high-dose and 23 standard-dose patients 5 years, on average, after treatment underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. In addition, 29 early-stage breast cancer patients matched for age, education and time since treatment were recruited as a comparison group. RESULTS: Global cognitive impairment was observed in 8% of high-dose versus 13% of standard-dose compared with 3% of early-stage breast cancer patients. Compared with normative data, all patient groups performed worse on one attention subtest measuring the simple reaction time (P <0.001 in each case). By contrast, no significant between-group differences on the late neuropsychological outcome were found. CONCLUSIONS: Five years after treatment, standard-dose patients were slightly, but not significantly, more impaired in cognitive performance than high-dose patients.

AB - BACKGROUND: Studies on cognitive functioning in breast cancer patients point out that a subset of women exhibit chemotherapy-related neuropsychological impairment. Thereby, high-dose therapy may elevate the risk of cognitive dysfunctions. The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of high-dose versus standard-dose chemotherapy on the late neuropsychological outcome in randomized assigned high-risk breast cancer survivors. Next to focusing prevalence, function specificity and extent of cognitive impairment, the question as to whether doses-dependent group differences occur was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four high-dose and 23 standard-dose patients 5 years, on average, after treatment underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. In addition, 29 early-stage breast cancer patients matched for age, education and time since treatment were recruited as a comparison group. RESULTS: Global cognitive impairment was observed in 8% of high-dose versus 13% of standard-dose compared with 3% of early-stage breast cancer patients. Compared with normative data, all patient groups performed worse on one attention subtest measuring the simple reaction time (P <0.001 in each case). By contrast, no significant between-group differences on the late neuropsychological outcome were found. CONCLUSIONS: Five years after treatment, standard-dose patients were slightly, but not significantly, more impaired in cognitive performance than high-dose patients.

M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz

VL - 17

SP - 415

EP - 423

JO - ANN ONCOL

JF - ANN ONCOL

SN - 0923-7534

IS - 3

M1 - 3

ER -