[Diagnosis and therapy of cognitive deficits in oncology patients]

Improvements in the diagnostics and therapy of almost all types of cancer have extended the survival rates and average life expectancies of oncology patients. As a result the assessment of cognitive deficits is becoming much more important not only in cancer diagnostics but also in the disease-free period following treatment. Various cognitive deficits can occur in patients with intracranial as well as extracranial malignancies. These deficits can be caused by tumor or treatment-related factors. Previous studies have shown that cognitive deficits may negatively influence the quality of life, therapy adherence, prognosis and mortality of patients. Currently, standardized specially designed cognitive tests for oncology patients are lacking; nevertheless, neurocognitive assessment should become an integral element in the diagnostic procedure as well as in the therapeutic process of these patients. An increasing number of studies are currently evaluating pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to treat or prevent cognitive deficits; however, recommendations for daily clinical use are still lacking.