OBJECTS: To study the long-term outcome of surgically treated low-grade cerebellar astrocytomas in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We followed 31 consecutive patients under 16 years of age who were diagnosed between 1980 and 2005 in a single institution. In 21 of 31 survivors (median follow-up time 7.9 years; range 5.6-27.4 years) who agreed to participate, tumor control, neurological and cognitive complications, and their impact on behavioral and emotional adjustment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were comprehensively assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: Neurological sequelae were found in 43%. However, age-appropriate ability to perform daily life activities was normal in all patients. Remarkably, cognitive deficits leading to significant school problems occurred in 19% and behavioral and emotional adjustment disturbances in 27%. In comparison with healthy controls, the survivors rated their HRQoL similarly or even higher. CONCLUSION: Childhood low-grade cerebellar astrocytomas have an excellent cure rate by tumor surgery alone. When compared with other pediatric brain tumors, the risk of neurological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral complications is relatively small. HRQoL is similar to that of healthy controls.
OBJECTS: To study the long-term outcome of surgically treated low-grade cerebellar astrocytomas in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We followed 31 consecutive patients under 16 years of age who were diagnosed between 1980 and 2005 in a single institution. In 21 of 31 survivors (median follow-up time 7.9 years; range 5.6-27.4 years) who agreed to participate, tumor control, neurological and cognitive complications, and their impact on behavioral and emotional adjustment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were comprehensively assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS:Neurological sequelae were found in 43%. However, age-appropriate ability to perform daily life activities was normal in all patients. Remarkably, cognitive deficits leading to significant school problems occurred in 19% and behavioral and emotional adjustment disturbances in 27%. In comparison with healthy controls, the survivors rated their HRQoL similarly or even higher. CONCLUSION: Childhood low-grade cerebellar astrocytomas have an excellent cure rate by tumor surgery alone. When compared with other pediatric brain tumors, the risk of neurological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral complications is relatively small. HRQoL is similar to that of healthy controls.
Authors: Dean W Beebe; M Douglas Ris; F Daniel Armstrong; John Fontanesi; Raymond Mulhern; Emi Holmes; Jeffrey H Wisoff Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2005-08-01 Impact factor: 44.544
Authors: Femke K Aarsen; Philippe F Paquier; Roel E Reddingius; Isabelle C Streng; Willem-Frans M Arts; Marjon Evera-Preesman; Coriene E Catsman-Berrevoets Journal: Cancer Date: 2006-01-15 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Andrea Poretti; Michael A Grotzer; Karin Ribi; Eugen Schönle; Eugen Boltshauser Journal: Dev Med Child Neurol Date: 2004-04 Impact factor: 5.449
Authors: B H Cohen; R J Packer; K R Siegel; L B Rorke; G D'Angio; L N Sutton; D A Bruce; L Schut Journal: Pediatr Neurosurg Date: 1993 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 1.162
Authors: Karen E Effinger; Kayla L Stratton; Paul Graham Fisher; Kirsten K Ness; Kevin R Krull; Kevin C Oeffinger; Gregory T Armstrong; Leslie L Robison; Melissa M Hudson; Wendy M Leisenring; Paul C Nathan Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2018-12-05 Impact factor: 9.162
Authors: Carmine Antonio Donofrio; Filippo Gagliardi; Marcella Callea; Camillo Ferrari da Passano; Maria Rosa Terreni; Andrea Cavalli; Alfio Spina; Stefania Acerno; Michele Bailo; Samer K Elbabaa; Pietro Mortini Journal: Neurosurg Rev Date: 2018-03-22 Impact factor: 3.042