During and after chemotherapy treatment, some mesothelioma patients experience forgetfulness, problems with "word finding" and difficulty concentrating. These are symptoms of a phenomenon called Chemo Brain. Generally considered a temporary condition that resolves considerably in the months after completing treatment, patients find it frustrating and stressful nonetheless. This presentation will discuss chemo brain and strategies to manage its symptoms.
2. What is Chemobrain?
Patients say that during and after chemo that their:
• Thinking seems foggy
• Memory not as sharp
• Can’t make decisions
Physicians call these “cognitive deficits related to
chemo,” but cancer survivors refer to them as part
of “chemobrain!”
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3. Symptoms of Chemobrain
Memory loss
Trouble paying attention
Difficulty “word finding”
Problems managing daily activities/solving problems
Usually resolves completely or considerably within a
year of finishing chemotherapy.
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4. Causes
• We are unsure of the exact cause of chemobrain.
• Progress in helping patients manage it.
Hypotheses about causes:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Sleep problems
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• Low blood counts
• Stress
• Medication side effects