Actual, Personalized Approaches to Preserve Cognitive Functions in Brain Metastases Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the most often diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and second most common cause of brain metastases (BMs) among solid malignancies being responsible for 10–16% of all BMs in oncological patients. Moreover, BMs are associated with worse prognosis than systemic metastases. The quality of life (QoL) among brain metastases breast cancer (BMBC) patients is significantly influenced by cognitive functions. Cancer-related cognitive deficits and the underlying neural deficits in BMBC patients can be caused via BMs per se, chemotherapy administration, brain irradiation, postmenopausal status, or comorbidities. Brain RT often leads to cognitive function impairment by damage of neural progenitor cells of the hippocampus and hence decreased QoL. Sparing the hippocampal region of the brain during RT provides protective covering of the centrally located hippocampi according to the patient’s clinical requirements. This article discusses the personalized strategies for treatment options to protect cognitive functions in BMBC patients, with special emphasis on the innovative techniques of radiation therapy.

Keywords

• breast cancer
• brain metastases
• radiotherapy
• targeted therapy
• cognitive function
• hippocampus