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Brain atrophy in children undergoing systemic chemotherapy for extracranial solid tumors
P Prassopoulos1, D Cavouras, N Evlogias
1Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Medical School of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
Medical and Pediatric Oncology
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Systemic chemotherapy can cause brain damage in children with solid tumors, leading to diffuse brain atrophy. This damage is evident even long after treatment completion and is detectable via neuroimaging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Oncology
- Chemotherapy Toxicity
Background:
- Intrathecal chemotherapy is known to cause brain damage detectable by neuroimaging.
- The effects of systemic chemotherapy on brain morphology in pediatric patients without central nervous system complications are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential morphologic brain alterations in children with extracranial solid tumors treated with systemic chemotherapy.
- To assess if systemic chemotherapy causes brain damage observable through neuroimaging.
Main Methods:
- Brain CT images of 69 children with extracranial malignancies were reviewed.
- The extent of 12 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartments was measured during and after chemotherapy.
- Measurements were compared to normative data.
Main Results:
- Diffuse brain atrophy was observed in approximately half of the children undergoing chemotherapy.
- Diffuse brain atrophy was also found in about half of the patients examined after treatment completion.
- No focal lesions indicative of therapy toxicity were identified.
Conclusions:
- Systemic chemotherapy, not just intrathecal administration, can lead to brain damage in children.
- Morphologic brain alterations, specifically diffuse brain atrophy, may persist long after the cessation of chemotherapy treatment.
- Neuroimaging can detect chemotherapy-induced brain damage in pediatric patients.