Neuropsychological functioning of children with brain tumors

In the past few decades, the survivor rate from childhood cancers has significantly increased due to constant modifications and improvements in treatment protocols, so the estimates are that childhood cancer occurs in 1 per 600 children, and that 1 per 450 adolescents or young adults is a long-term cancer survivor. Nevertheless, radiation treatment is still a necessary option that certainly contributes to greater survival rate (75%), until new approaches to patients with malignant diseases are accepted. In our clinical practice, surgical treatment for malignant brain tumor is followed by radio- and chemotherapy tailored according to patient age and tumor type, position and size. During a six-year period, neuropsychological functioning was tested in 21 patients upon completion of treatment and retested in 19 patients in the stage of primary disease remission. Comparison of the test-retest results revealed some, statistically nonsignificant decline in full scale IQ, verbal and performance subscales, and graphomotor skills. However, the results showed a statistically significant improvement in several cognitive functions including short-term memory, information fund (suggesting long-term memory improvement), visuospatial functions measured by object assemble and block design subtests. There were no statistically significant differences between the patients younger and older than 7 years. Results also suggested an improved quality of recovery expressed by numerous school re-entries, without age or sex differences. Trials are continued to follow-up the possible long -term adverse effects of the aggressive oncologic therapy.