Neurocognitive effects of CNS tumors

There is ample evidence that many children treated for brain tumors experience long-term neurocognitive deficits. The severity of those deficits is determined by a complex interaction of the child's genetic make-up and age, neuroanatomical damage caused by tumor and surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the psychosocial environment, and the intensity of targeted rehabilitation. The consequences of neurocognitive deficits are moderated by the number and severity of other deficits, including neurological and endocrine impairments, and this wider context must be considered. The impact of intellectual decline on academic functioning is evident, and underlies, for example, poor reading, writing, and mathematical skills. The effects of early brain damage on development are cumulative as more functions are expected to mature. Many survivors of CNS tumors can be expected to grow into deficits that have far-reaching consequences not only for academic achievement but also for their psychological and social development and their ability to be self-sufficient. Because the problems typically only become apparent over time, surveillance for their detection is an essential prerequisite for early educational and other interventions to support learning and successful transition to independent adult life.