Eindwerk psycho-oncologie 2020-2022: Neurotoxic and neurodegenerative processes of erlderly cancer survivors: a systematic literature review

Cancer diagnoses are growing, and cancer is often a disease of the elderly. The elderly population is a complex population to study due to the multimorbidity and natural ageing process. Cancer and its treatment can interact on the natural ageing process of elderly cancer survivors. This makes understanding the impact of cancer and its treatment in elderly complex but essential to understand as these individuals are often already frailer and more at risk for deficits. The objective of this study was to provide an answer to the research question: “To which extent are elderly (≥ 65 years old) cancer survivors at risk for neurotoxic or neurodegenerative processes?” In order to answer this research question a systematic literature review was done on the cognitive effects of cancer and treatment. Studies were divided into different categories based on the different measurements used (imaging, neuropsychological testing, interviews/questionnaires). A separate description on neurodegenerative disease following cancer and its treatment was also researched. The results confirm that neurocognitive and neurodegenerative impact of cancer and its treatment is diverse, depending on the individual psychological and physiological risk factors of the patients. Not all biomarkers and mechanisms are well understood. Future studies should help and provide a clearer picture of the interaction between cancer and its treatment and the ageing process. Tools should be developed to identify these patients more at risk for accelerated ageing, neurodegeneration, or cognitive dysfunctions.