Does cognitive decline accelerate in older adults after diagnosis with CLL compared with the cognitive trajectory seen in normal aging?

[AussieNeil]

Some welcome reassuring news!

In this cohort study, 668 older adults with hematologic malignant neoplasms and 1994 matched participants without cancer had similar rates of cognitive decline before diagnosis, surrounding the time of diagnosis, and after diagnosis when the competing risk of death was accounted for.

Meaning

These findings suggest the cognitive trajectory of older adults diagnosed with hematologic malignant neoplasm parallels the trajectory seen in normal aging.

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

Within the HMN cohort, the most common diagnoses were myeloproliferative neoplasm (127 patients [19.0%]), chronic leukemia (106 patients [15.9%]), and multiple myeloma (97 patients [14.5%]).

Why the concern?

HMN biology and treatments may impact cognition differently from solid tumors. First, HMN and its treatments cause more cytopenias, which are associated with increased fatigue, decreased physical activity, and cardiovascular risk, which may impact cognition.14-16 Second, since HMNs are systemic diseases affecting the immune and hematopoietic systems, their disease biology may influence cognition independent of treatment, as has been suggested in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphomas.17-20 Lastly, unlike solid tumors, which in early stages may be treated with surgery or radiation, most HMNs are treated with systemic therapy, which is associated with higher CRCI risk.

Neil

[DanBro1]

As usual, AussieNeil posts some very interesting CLL related information....thank you!

[camper2]

Very welcome news AussieNeil - my biggest fear, probably more than my cancers (where at least I feel I’m still in control), is of dementia. The knowledge that the CLL won’t contribute to that risk, is some comfort.

[wakewatcher]

very interesting article thank you - could you just expand what CRCI risk means in more or less the last sentence. Sorry if I’m slow and it is expanded earlier. Thank you.

[LeoPa]

royalmarsden.nhs.uk/what-ca....

[whitelily22]

Good to know, thanks Neil! 😀

[spi3]

Neil - thank you so much for providing informative information and giving all of us hope!

[Spark_Plug]

So, on the other hand, I have one less excuse...🤨

[BobbyFour]

It is nice to see something that CLL doesn’t impact!

[Vlaminck]

Such an important issue for us aging adults.

[msnik]

re: the photo: are those Rhododenrons?

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to msnik]

Here's a photo of the flowering plant, which grows spikes covered with purple flowers. I don't recall seeing any other colour. The plants flower when typically 1 meter/yard high, but can grow several times larger. I agree with CLLerinOz that it's an Echium candicans.

Not a rhododendron

[CLLerinOz Administrator in reply to AussieNeil]

Looks like an Echium candicans.