A prospective study of neuropsychological functioning in testicular cancer patients

• Published in: Annals of oncology Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 1062 - 1070
• Main Authors: Skaali, T., Fosså, S.D., Andersson, S., Cvancarova, M., Langberg, C.W., Lehne, G., Dahl, A.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2011; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Antineoplastic agents; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; chemotherapy; cognitive function; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Interview, Psychological; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; neuropsychological functioning; Neuropsychological Tests; neurotoxicity; Orchiectomy; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prospective Studies; prospective study; Seminoma - drug therapy; Seminoma - psychology; Seminoma - surgery; testicular cancer patients; Testicular Neoplasms - drug therapy; Testicular Neoplasms - psychology; Testicular Neoplasms - surgery; Tumors; Young Adult; cognitive function; neurotoxicity; testicular cancer patients; chemotherapy; neuropsychological functioning; prospective study; Human; Toxicity; Patient; Cognition; Malignant tumor; Prospective; Chemotherapy; Neurotoxicity; Treatment; Male genital diseases; Testicular diseases; Testicle cancer; Cancer
• ISSN: 0923-7534; 1569-8041
• DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdq553

Whether systemic chemotherapy has a negative effect on cognitive function in patients, concern oncologists. In testicular cancer patients (TCPs) treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, only few cross-sectional studies have addressed this concern. We prospectively studied neuropsychological functioning in TCPs.
In a consecutive sampling, 122 TCPs were examined at baseline (after orchidectomy, before any additional treatment) and then at follow-up at a median of 12 months after end of treatment. The examinations included a neuropsychological test battery, interview on background variables and questionnaires on mental distress, fatigue and neurotoxic symptoms. Changes in neuropsychological functioning from baseline to follow-up were compared between three treatments groups: no chemotherapy (N = 31), one cycle of chemotherapy (N = 38) and two or more cycles of chemotherapy (N = 53). Variables associated with a decline in neuropsychological test performance from baseline to follow-up were explored.
No statistically significant differences in proportions of TCPs with a decline in neuropsychological test performance were observed between the three treatment groups. Decline in neuropsychological test performance was not associated with demographic variables, distress, fatigue or with chemotherapy.
No negative effect of systemic chemotherapy on neuropsychological test performance in TCPs at 1-year follow-up was found in this study.