Cognitive Impairment in Lung Cancer and Brain Metastases

More than one in three persons will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Advances in cancer treatments have extended survival. As cancer survivorship has increased, there has been a greater appreciation for the long-term and late effects of cancer therapies including effects on cognitive functioning. Cognitive impairment is quite common in patients with both central nervous system and noncentral nervous system cancers, such as lung cancer, and in those patients who may develop brain metastases. In this chapter, we will start with a brief introduction and discuss the epidemiology of cancer and cognitive impairment followed by a review of cognitive impairment in patients with lung cancer and brain metastases at initial diagnosis and following various treatments. We will then discuss an overview of prevention and intervention strategies and patient education intended to minimize or alleviate cognitive impairment in patients with lung cancer and those with brain metastases.