Medulloblastome, primitiv neuroektodermale Tumoren und Ependymome

[Pediatric intracranial tumors : Principles of diagnostics and treatment]

Pediatric intracranial tumors account for approximately 24% of childhood malignancies. Pathological entities and their frequencies differ significantly from adult intracranial tumors and have age-specific differences in the pediatric population itself. In Germany treatment and diagnosis must be carried out according to ongoing multicenter trials for therapy optimization and registers of the Gesellschaft für pädiatrische Onkologie und Hämatologie (GPOH, Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology) in specialized centers for pediatric oncology. In addition to the articles in this issue which focus on the radiological aspects of the different entities, this article provides an overview of the principles of diagnostics and treatment of pediatric intracranial tumors.

Pediatric low-grade glioma survivors experience high quality of life

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine pediatric low-grade glioma survivors' quality of life and late morbidity including motor, sensory, and cognitive deficits.

METHODS

We surveyed 49 survivors and their parents (KINDL questionnaire).

RESULTS

Despite tumor and treatment-associated morbidity, survivors (25 boys and 24 girls, median age at diagnosis 7.8 years), but not their parents, rated their total quality of life higher than their peers. Although all survivors had some late morbidity, half of them were able to conduct their daily lives without restriction.

CONCLUSION

These results reflect survivors' effective coping mechanisms and underscore the difficulties of assessing quality of life in pediatric populations.