How do you manage neurocognitive decline associated with chemotherapy (i.e. chemo brain)?

I agree with @Dr. First Last's detailed response. Practically speaking, I would also add that it is important to listen and validate your patient's concerns and respond to their frustration and sense of loss. A diagnostic evaluation will not only help you and your patient discover or 'rule out' other possible contributors, but will also cement your partnership with the patient. I have treated so many super smart patients who could give me very detailed accounts of exactly what had changed in the...

Cognitive changes are reported by patients diagnosed with cancer prior to any cancer treatment, during and after cancer treatments including chemotherapy, but other types as well including endocrine therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Collectively these are known as cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI). They are often most noticeable to patients themselves and not always confirmed by traditional neurocognitive testing. Much research is ongoing to better characterize the biologi...

I agree with what Maryam and Lidia nicely summarized. This is a real and vexing clinical problem without great ways to accurately test for it and without established therapies that will effectively reverse it for most patients. It is important to acknowledge to affected patients that it is a real phenomenon. Referral to a neuropsychologist can be helpful for selected patients.