![]() ![]() With increased awareness of researchers, there has risen a pressing urge to construct various assessment and diagnostic tools that aid physicians in managing delirious patients ( 9- 13). Despite being a common presentation, delirium has been described vaguely throughout the years. Delirium is characterized by a sudden onset of fluctuating level of consciousness. Delirium: a more specific term commonly used to describe an acute state of confusion resulting from organic brain dysfunction.AMS: a broad term that encompasses all manifestations of brain dysfunction including confusion, clouding of consciousness, disorientation, inattention, altered behavior, or drowsiness ( 7, 8).Consequently, the evaluation of these conditions in terms of diagnosis and management becomes more challenging, particularly in the era where patient’s quality of life is a medical priority ( 6). Patients with cancer very frequently present with AMS and/or delirium especially in the end of life stage ( 2). The diagnosis and treatment of AMS and delirium have long puzzled clinicians ( 4, 5), especially in patients with oncological diseases. Two frequently misdiagnosed and potentially fatal neuropsychiatric complications are altered mental status (AMS) and delirium ( 2, 3). Patients with cancer are well known for the numerous complications associated with their disease and/or with the rigorous treatment modalities they receive ( 1). Keywords: Altered mental status (AMS) cancer delirium diagnosis management Family members should be provided with counseling and support. Given the considerable distress cancer patients suffer from, clinicians must assure safety of patients with delirium and safety of the medical team caring for the patient. This includes detailed history and comprehensive physical examination together with the use of diagnostic tools, for example: Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) tool. ![]() Diagnosis of delirium requires a high index of suspicion, and a systematic assessment to confirm the diagnosis and identify the possible cause. Management of delirium requires identifying and correcting the precipitating cause if feasible. The complex nature of delirium in cancer patients and the high variability of its presentation make its diagnosis and management challenging and frequently missed. Delirium is multifactorial, as cancer patients have an array of predisposing and precipitating factors: metabolic disturbances, structural lesions, in addition to medications and infection. Altered mental status (AMS) and delirium have a high incidence rate among patients with cancer and this increases dramatically towards the end of life. Abstract: Delirium is a syndrome characterized by acute onset of changes in awareness and cognition, which fluctuate in severity during the episode.
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