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Cognitive Disorders and Delirium (PDQ®)

Patient Version
Last Modified: 08/19/2011

Overview

Cognitive disorders and delirium are conditions in which the patient experiences a confused mental state and changes in behavior.

People who have cognitive disorders or delirium may fall in and out of consciousness and may have problems with the following:

  • Attention.
  • Thinking.
  • Awareness.
  • Emotion.
  • Memory.
  • Muscle control.
  • Sleeping and waking.

Delirium occurs frequently in patients with cancer, especially in patients with advanced cancer.

Delirium usually occurs suddenly and the patient's symptoms may come and go during the day. This condition can be treated and is often temporary, even in people with advanced illness. In the last 24 to 48 hours of life, however, delirium may be permanent due to problems such as organ failure.

This summary is about cognitive disorders in adults with cancer.



Glossary Terms

cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
cognition (kog-NIH-shun)
The mental process of thinking, learning, remembering, being aware of surroundings, and using judgment.
delirium (deh-LEER-ee-um)
A mental state in which a person is confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. The person may also be agitated and have hallucinations, and extreme excitement.
disorder (dis-OR-der)
In medicine, a disturbance of normal functioning of the mind or body. Disorders may be caused by genetic factors, disease, or trauma.
organ (OR-gun)
A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.
symptom (SIMP-tum)
An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.