Managing chemobrain: Translational insights and evidence-based psychological interventions

With the improving survival rates of malignant tumors, the focus of attention in cancer research is shifting toward a better understanding of long-term treatment-related adverse effects that impact quality of life, with particular focus on cancer-related cognitive impairment. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as "chemobrain" in the literature, manifests as deficits in attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functions. Although the frequency of objectively measured cognitive deficits detected through neuropsychological assessments are moderate, subjective complaints often result in significant deterioration of quality of life. The present review aims to provide a multidisciplinary overview of chemobrain, emphasizing its epidemiological characteristics, neurobiological and psychosocial factors, and options for evidence-based psychological interventions. Alongside neurotoxic, inflammatory, hormonal, and neuroendocrine mechanisms associated with chemotherapy, the review highlights distress, cognitive compensation, and discrepancies between subjective complaints and objectively measurable cognitive deficits. Diagnostic challenges and evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches-especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and rehabilitation-are also discussed. This analysis highlights the complex nature of chemobrain and the need for further research to develop targeted, individualized therapeutic protocols.