The relationship between chemotherapy and loss of memory in breast cancer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i7.30007Keywords:
Chemotherapy; Breast cancer; Cognitive dysfunction; Memory loss; Etiologies; Causes.Abstract
Introduction: studies suggest that chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer can cause cognitive changes, affecting the quality of life of survivors of the disease. Objective: to research and study through a literature review the etiologies of cognitive dysfunction associated with breast cancer chemotherapy. Method: A narrative literature review was carried out through searches in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct, using the keywords: Chemotherapy; Breast cancer; cognitive dysfunction; Memory loss; Etiologies; Causes, combined with each other. Results and Discussion: cognitive dysfunction is shown to be impaired after treatment with chemotherapeutics, thus leading to the conclusion that the main causes are antineoplastics. The way in which these drugs act in the body causing this dysfunction are diverse, such as the reduction of gray matter in the brain, local inflammation in the hippocampus, causing the excessive release of cytokines that cross the blood-brain barrier. Conclusion: the cognitive impairment resulting from chemotherapy treatment is evident, and its causes are being increasingly researched in order to better understand this side effect and be able to find ways to prevent or treat them, seeking to improve quality of life of the survivors.
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Copyright (c) 2022 Karine Lorrayne da Guarda Santos; Cristiane Olier Perusso; Natália de Souza Sapatera; Kátia Denise Saraiva Bresciani
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