Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), depression and quality of life in gynecological cancer patients: a prospective study

Purpose Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been reported in non-central nervous system neoplasms survivors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception of cognitive decrement in patients undergoing surgical and / or medical therapy for gynecological cancers. Methods All women diagnosed with primary gynecological cancer and undergoing active medical treatment have been enrolled in a prospective study. Before starting treatment (T1) and 6 months after the end of treatment (T2), patients were interviewed to evaluate the effects of cancer treatment on perceived cognitive function (using FACT-Cog -version 3), on depression (using Beck Depression Inventory-II test) and on quality of life (using EORTC-QLQC-30). Age, education level, marital status, lifestyle, menopausal state at diagnosis, cancer type, cancer FIGO stage, treatment modality was also recorded. The differences between baseline and post-treatment results have been evaluated with Student's t test. The results have been stratified by the menopausal state at diagnosis, type of tumor (endometrial, cervical, ovarian, vulvar) disease stage and type of treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy). Results Seventy-three patients were included. A significant reduction in perceived cognitive impairments was demonstrated at T2 (CogPCI: 61.35 +/- 13.83 vs 55.05 +/- 16.56; p < 0.05). On the contrary, a significant improvement was shown in depression state (BDII: 21.14 +/- 11.23 vs 12.82 +/- 12.33, p < 0.005). The menopausal state at surgery, tumor site, stage and treatment modality seem to influence the variables analyzed. Conclusion CRCI is a true risk also in gynecological cancer survivors. The cognitive impairment does not seem to be dependent on depression state after treatment or to a menopausal condition. Assessing cognitive decline in cancer survivorship is essential for ensuring the optimum quality of life and functioning.