Cognitive dysfunction after chemotherapy in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients

Objective: Advances in cancer treatments have significantly prolonged survival for patients with cancer. Many patients experience cognitive changes as a side effect of both cancer and cancer treatment. These cognitive changes negatively affect the quality of life of patients (1). Recognizing the cognitive changes will make it easier for the patient to cope with and adapt to the situation. With this study, it was aimed to define cognitive impairments that may develop after chemotherapy in lung cancer patients, raise awareness about cognitive changes that will develop in patients, and have a positive reflection on the quality of patient care. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was planned to identify cognitive impairments that may develop after chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. This research was carried out on newly diagnosed lung cancer patients, who are being followed up by Gazi University Hospital Oncology Department, and receiving the first cure chemotherapy between September 15, 2020, and November 15, 2020. "Cognitive Dysfunction Data Collection Form after Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer Patients," "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, (HAD)" and "Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA)" were used. The second evaluation of the patients was made in the sixth month of the first evaluation, and the results were compared. Results: Twenty-six patients were included in the initial phase of the study. At the sixth-month follow-up, four of the patients were found to have died, and one of them had high HAD scores (Anxiety score: 15, Depression score: 15), so they were excluded from the study, and 21 patients were evaluated. In this study, it was observed that the MoCA scale scores of the patients with lung cancer who received chemotherapy at the 6th-month follow-up were decreased compared to the scores before the drug administration. The median value of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was 23 (IQR 25-75=22-25) in the first measurement and 22 (IQR 25-75=21-23) in the second measurement, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.008). Conclusion: In this study, cognitive dysfunction was observed after chemotherapy in lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.