Progress in cognitive dysfunction induced by radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Radiotherapy (RT) is the primary treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In order to achieve tumor control, nearby normal brain tissues, especially the temporal lobes, often receive unnecessary radiation. Patients with NPC treated by RT may occur cognitive impairments, which significantly compromises the quality of life. The symptoms of cognitive dysfunction induced by RT in NPC patients can exhibit at the early or later stage after RT, which may be related to temporal lobe injury or brain damage induced by radiation. However, the relationship between the cognitive declines induced by RT and the radiation dose or volume of the temporal lobe (or the dosimetry to treat NPC) has not yet been definitively established, and few reports have focused on cognitive impairment following intensity modulated RT. Therefore, this paper will review the progress in radiation-induced cognitive decline of NPC patients in order to provide the basis for preventing side effects of RT and improving the quality of life after RT. Key words: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Cognitive impairment; Radiotherapy