Causes

There are many possible factors that might contribute to the signs and symptoms of memory problems in cancer survivors.

Cancer-related causes could include:

Cancer

• A cancer diagnosis can be quite stressful and it might lead to anxiety and depression, which can contribute to thinking and memory problems
• Certain cancers can produce chemicals that affect memory
• Cancers that begin in the brain or spread to the brain might cause changes in thinking

Cancer treatments

• Bone marrow transplant
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery
• Targeted drug therapy

Complications of cancer treatment

• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Infection
• Menopause or other hormonal changes (caused by cancer treatment)
• Sleep problems
• Pain due to cancer treatments

Other causes

• Inherited susceptibility to chemo brain
• Medications for other cancer-related signs and symptoms, such as pain medications
• Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, depression, anxiety and nutritional deficiency