Voxel-based morphometry in the assessment of brain condition in patients after breast cancer treatment (Part 1)

Background. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. Modern treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, can cause adverse effects on the central nervous system, including cognitive impairment known as “chemobrain”. Brain imaging techniques, such as voxel-based morphometry (VBM), are essential for diagnosing these changes. Objective. The study aimed to assess changes in brain structure volumes in breast cancer survivors using voxel-based morphometry. Design and Methods. The study included 86 patients (mean age 43.27 ± 4.38 years) who underwent breast cancer treatment and 26 healthy volunteers (mean age 44 ± 5.68 years). MRI of the brain was performed using the MPRAGE sequence to exclude organic pathology and analyze brain structure volumes. Data analysis was conducted using the VolBrain platform. Results. Morphometric analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in gray and white matter volumes in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy compared to the control group. This reduction was accompanied by complaints of cognitive decline, including memory and attention deficits, which correlated with decreased brain structure volumes. Conclusion. Voxel-based morphometry enables the detection of subtle changes in brain structure in breast cancer survivors. The results confirm the significant impact of chemotherapy on the central nervous system and highlight the need for early diagnosis and rehabilitation of cognitive impairments.

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