Cognitive Impairment Subsequent to Successful Pediatric Brain Tumour Treatment – The Long-term Implications

Abstract

Paediatric brain tumours were once associated with an extremely poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Advances and refinement of cancer treatment protocols have drastically changed this, and greatly ameliorated survival rates on a global scale. While many paediatric patients are fortunate enough to have their brain cancer successfully treated and are free of recurrent malignancies, they may not be able to have the same quality of life that they could have expected before their diagnosis. Research suggests that the survivors of paediatric brain tumours may suffer from an assortment of cognitive and neuropsychological deficiencies later in life, due to the nature of these tumours and the rigorous treatment that must be undergone to eradicate them. The aim of this structured review is to determine what the literature indicates in terms of the nature and progression of these cognitive deficiencies. Additional information was also collected pertaining to the predictors and risk factors for increased cognitive decline. following treatment.