Long-term sequelae after pediatric brain tumors: their effect on disability and quality of life.

Abstract

In an unselected series of pediatric brain tumors, 56 of 60 long-term survivors--craniopharyngiomas and pituitary tumors excluded--were investigated and interviewed mean X = 10 (5-16) years after diagnosis. After this time, sequelae were stable and included cognitive (38%), motor (25%), visual (20%), hormonal (20%), and psychological-emotional (14%) dysfunction. Memory dysfunction was found in 22% of patients with normal intelligence. Moderate or severe disability, from combinations of these impairments, was found in 34%. Sixty-six percent had no or mild disability compatible with active life and employment. However, these patients less often were married or had children compared with a control group of healthy subjects. Moderate and severe disability was found in 48% of supra- and in 21% of infratentorial tumors, after radiotherapy (RT) in 55% vs. without RT in 18%. RT before 6 years of age caused subnormal IQ in all cases. The self-reported quality of life was not related to degree of disability. Patients with psychological-emotional sequelae self-evaluated their quality of life lower than did patients with other types of long-term sequelae.

• Authors: B Lannering, I Marky, A Lundberg, E Olsson
• Journal: Medical and pediatric oncology (Med Pediatr Oncol) Vol. 18 Issue 4 Pg. 304-10 ( 1990) ISSN: 0098-1532 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2355890 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Brain Neoplasms (complications, physiopathology, therapy)
• Child
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Epilepsy (etiology)
• Facial Paralysis (etiology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Growth Disorders (etiology)
• Humans
• Intellectual Disability (etiology)
• Intelligence Tests
• Male
• Prognosis
• Quality of Life
• Retrospective Studies
• Socialization
• Vision Disorders (etiology)