Cognitive Disorders and Delirium (PDQ®)
Cancer Information Summaries « English « Patients « C
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 record was last updated on September 22nd, 2008.
About the PDQ Cancer Information Summaries from the National Cancer Institute
PDQ (Physician Data Query) is a comprehensive cancer database published by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, and supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine; a registry of cancer clinical trials; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care.
The PDQ Cancer Information Summaries are peer reviewed and updated monthly by six editorial boards comprised of specialists in adult treatment, pediatric treatment, supportive care, screening and prevention, genetics, and complementary and alternative medicine. The Boards review current literature from more than 70 biomedical journals, evaluate its relevance, and synthesize it into clear summaries. Many of the summaries are also available in Spanish.
Linked medical terms appearing on this page are added by Healia to help readers find more information and are not part of the original PDQ document.