APA Dictionary of Psychology

an informal term describing cognitive changes experienced by some people during or after cancer treatment. Commonly reported difficulties include problems with memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and word finding. Although initially attributed primarily to chemotherapy, current evidence indicates that cognitive impairment is often multifactorial, reflecting the combined effects of cancer itself, systemic treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy), radiation, fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain, mood symptoms, inflammation, and other biological mechanisms. Management typically focuses on supportive strategies such as cognitive rehabilitation, compensatory techniques, physical activity, sleep optimization, and psychosocial interventions (including cognitive behavioral therapy), along with treatment of contributing conditions when present. Also called chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment.