Neuropsychiatric sequelae in childhood brain tumor survivors

Childhood brain tumor (BT) survivors have increased. Physical, cognitive, social functions, and overall quality of life (QOL), may be diminished in response to tumors or their treatments in children. The tumor itself, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy can contribute to neurocognitive sequelae to debilitating levels. Short-term memory, attention, processing speed, visual-motor processing, and spatial relations deficits may occur months to years after treatment. BT survivors may develop motor, intellectual, visual, and psychoemotional dysfunctions, with moderate-to-severe disabilities. Among survivors of the central nervous system tumors, ocular deficits are common. Platinum-based chemotherapy and posterior and middle cranial fossa radiotherapy have contributed to ototoxicity. Survivors of treated temporal lobe cyst suffered from incapacitating depression and psychosis in one study; however, it is not clear if psychiatric and somatic symptoms are caused by BTs or as a response to psychological stresses after diagnosis or treatment. Childhood (BT) survivors experienced significant lower Health-Related QOL scores than in the normal population. It is a major challenge, for the medical team to prevent these late effects. The article will address the following items: neurological; including cognitive impairment and psychiatric sequelae; QOL in childhood (BT) survivors and how to minimize, prevent, and treat them. The neurological, cognitive, psychiatric, and social problems that develop early in childhood BT survivors may extend into adulthood. Life-long support and follow-up care are recommended for childhood BT survivors. Treatment protocols should be placed considering the reduction of neurocognitive and late neurological deficits.