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Zheng WJ, Guan XY, Fan KY, Gong J. Application of the CNS vital signs test and WISC-IV in the cognitive assessment of Chinese pediatric patients with intra-cranial space occupying lesion. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2024; 13:229-238. [PMID: 36519237 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2022.2156289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A fast and reliable neurocognitive assessment tool is required for pediatric patients with an intracranial space-occupying lesion (ICSOL). METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 41 pediatric patients having ICSOL. Cognitive abilities were assessed using both WISC-IV and CNS Vital Signs (CNS VS). All domains are compared to the normative data. Spearman's correlation analysis is performed between domains in two batteries. RESULTS In the WISC-IV, CPI, PSI, and WMI are significantly lower than the normative level. In the CNS VS, NCI, Memory domains, Reaction Time, Social Acuity, and Sustained Attention are significantly lower. Six domains in the CNS VS, including Complex Attention, Sustained Attention, Cognitive Flexibility, Executive Function, Processing Speed, and Social Acuity, positively correlate to the PSI or CPI in the WISC-IV. Sixty percent (9/15) of domains in the CNS VS negatively correlate to the size of ISCOL. The FSIQ in the WISC-IV is significantly associated with patients' parent education level. CONCLUSION Compared to the WISC-IV, CNS VS takes less time, but measures more domains. CNS VS is more sensitive to the size of ICSOL but is not affected by patients' parent education level. A healthy control group is warranted for interpreting the results in Chinese participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jian Zheng
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Yi Guan
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai-Yu Fan
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Gong
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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2
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Ghalibafian M, Mirzaei S, Girinsky T, Sadeghi Y, Saffar A, Ghodsinezhad N, Elmi S, Bouffet E. Challenges in Treating Childhood Infratentorial Ependymoma: A Low- and Middle-Income Country Experience. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:1181-1190. [PMID: 37454918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.2294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients and physicians in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face challenges owing to limited expertise and suboptimal access to appropriate diagnostic and treatment modalities. We report our experience in treating posterior fossa ependymoma (PFE) at MAHAK, a charity organization in Iran whose radiation oncology department is the only one exclusively dedicated to childhood cancer in the whole country. METHODS AND MATERIALS Pediatric patients with PFE referred to MAHAK between November 2008 and January 2016 were identified. Details on investigations and management done before referral were collected. Management at MAHAK and patient outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS Of 80 patients diagnosed as having ependymoma, 54 with PFE were identified. Forty-three patients received adjuvant radiation therapy, and 11 were irradiated initially after recurrence. At a median follow-up of 5.1 years (range, 0.3-9.7 years), the latter group had the worst outcome, with a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 27% (95% CI, 7%-54%). Patients who started radiation therapy within 77 days after initial surgery had a better outcome compared with those who started later (5-year OS: 74% vs 32%; P = .05). Compliance with follow-up recommendations was poor. Only 22% of the patients had at least 2 IQ test assessments, and 50% showed some decline over time. Three cases of growth hormone deficiency were detected, but none of the patients received replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS Access to pediatric neurosurgery, anesthesia, and timely radiation therapy are among the most challenging obstacles to be overcome in LMICs. Our series confirmed that chemotherapy is not an appropriate option for delaying radiation therapy, especially in young children. The importance of long-term follow-up should be acknowledged by the parents and medical team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mithra Ghalibafian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sajad Mirzaei
- Department of Radiation Physics, MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Yasaman Sadeghi
- MAHAK Hematology Oncology Research Center (MAHAK-HORC), MAHAK Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Saffar
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Ghodsinezhad
- Department of Psychology, MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Elmi
- Department of Audiology, MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Zheng Y, Ong SH, Vellayappan B, Nga VDW. Management of first recurrence or progression of craniopharyngioma after resection alone: A systematic review and individual-participant data meta-analysis. J Clin Neurosci 2023; 118:123-131. [PMID: 37922728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The initial management of craniopharyngioma is generally either gross total resection (GTR) or subtotal resection (STR) with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). However, the optimal management strategy for recurrent/progressive craniopharyngioma remains unclear. In this systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the outcomes of surgery and/or RT for the first recurrence/progression of craniopharyngioma after resection alone. The exposure was the treatment that was administered for the first recurrence/progression, and the outcomes were tumor regrowth and overall survival (OS). Subgroup analyses were performed by age at the treatment for the first recurrence/progression (<18 or ≥ 18 years old), duration between the first treatment and the first recurrence/progression (<2 or ≥ 2 years), and the initial treatment that was administered (STR or GTR). Of the 2932 studies screened, 11 studies reporting a total of 80 patients were included. Across almost all subgroups, patients who received RT for the first recurrence/progression had a significantly lower risk of tumor regrowth than those who did not, regardless of whether surgery was performed and the extent of resection. There was no significant association between the treatment administered for the first recurrence/progression and OS, except for patients with a recurrence/progression < 2 years after the first treatment, where GTR was associated with a higher risk of mortality. For patients with the first recurrence/progression of craniopharyngioma after resection alone, RT should be considered for better local control. In cases where RT is not administered, GTR is preferred over STR provided it can be safely performed, for improved local control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Zheng
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Shi Hui Ong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Balamurugan Vellayappan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
| | - Vincent Diong Weng Nga
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Neurosurgery, National University Hospital, Singapore
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4
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Mule' TN, Hodges J, Wu S, Li Y, Ashford JM, Merchant TE, Conklin HM. Social determinants of cognitive outcomes in survivors of pediatric brain tumors treated with conformal radiation therapy. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1842-1851. [PMID: 37099477 PMCID: PMC10547513 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social determinants of health including parental occupation, household income, and neighborhood environment are predictors of cognitive outcomes among healthy and ill children; however, few pediatric oncology studies have investigated this relationship. This study utilized the Economic Hardship Index (EHI) to measure neighborhood-level social and economic conditions to predict cognitive outcomes among children treated for brain tumors (BT) with conformal radiation therapy (RT). METHODS Two hundred and forty-one children treated on a prospective, longitudinal, phase II trial of conformal photon RT (54-59.4 Gy) for ependymoma, low-grade glioma, or craniopharyngioma (52% female, 79% white, age at RT = 7.76 ± 4.98 years) completed serial cognitive assessments (intelligence quotient [IQ], reading, math, and adaptive functioning) for ten years. Six US census tract-level EHI scores were calculated for an overall EHI score: unemployment, dependency, education, income, crowded housing, and poverty. Established socioeconomic status (SES) measures from the extant literature were also derived. RESULTS Correlations and non-parametric tests revealed EHI variables share modest variance with other SES measures. Income, unemployment, and poverty overlapped most with individual SES measures. Linear mixed models, accounting for sex, age at RT, and tumor location, revealed EHI variables predicted all cognitive variables at baseline and change in IQ and math over time, with EHI overall and poverty most consistent predictors. Higher economic hardship was associated with lower cognitive scores. CONCLUSIONS Neighborhood-level measures of socioeconomic conditions can help inform understanding of long-term cognitive and academic outcomes in survivors of pediatric BT. Future investigation of poverty's driving forces and the impact of economic hardship on children with other catastrophic diseases is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N Mule'
- Department of Educational Psychology and Research, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jason Hodges
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shengjie Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jason M Ashford
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Heather M Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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5
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Yamaguchi J, Ohka F, Motomura K, Saito R. Latest classification of ependymoma in the molecular era and advances in its treatment: a review. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2023; 53:653-663. [PMID: 37288489 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyad056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ependymoma is a rare central nervous system (CNS) tumour occurring in all age groups and is one of the most common paediatric malignant brain tumours. Unlike other malignant brain tumours, ependymomas have few identified point mutations and genetic and epigenetic features. With advances in molecular understanding, the latest 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of CNS tumours divided ependymomas into 10 diagnostic categories based on the histology, molecular information and location; this accurately reflected the prognosis and biology of this tumour. Although maximal surgical resection followed by radiotherapy is considered the standard treatment method, and chemotherapy is considered ineffective, the validation of the role of these treatment modalities continues. Although the rarity and long-term clinical course of ependymoma make designing and conducting prospective clinical trials challenging, knowledge is steadily accumulating and progress is being made. Much of the clinical knowledge obtained from clinical trials to date was based on the previous histology-based WHO classifications, and the addition of new molecular information may lead to more complex treatment strategies. Therefore, this review presents the latest findings on the molecular classification of ependymomas and advances in its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Yamaguchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Fumiharu Ohka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuya Motomura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryuta Saito
- Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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6
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Howe GN, Edmonston DY, Dirks GC, Boop FA, Merchant TE. Conformal Radiation Therapy for Ependymoma at Age ≤3 Years: A 25-Year Experience. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 116:869-877. [PMID: 36690160 PMCID: PMC10782549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) affects survival after surgery for young children (age <3 years) diagnosed with intracranial ependymoma. Conformal photon RT promised to spare normal tissue and was introduced more than 25 years ago to improve outcomes for these vulnerable patients. Long-term results for those first treated with conformal methods provide valuable information and serve as a comparison against newer methods. METHODS AND MATERIALS Between 1997 and 2018, 101 patients <3.1-years-old were treated with conformal and intensity modulated photon therapy after definitive surgery for intracranial ependymoma. The median age at RT was 2.1 years and the time from diagnosis to the start of RT was 10 weeks. The extent of resection was gross-total in 82%, and 38% underwent more than 1 attempt at resection. The total prescribed dose was 54 to 59.4 Gy at 1.8 Gy per fraction. RESULTS The 10-year event-free and overall survivals were 58.5% ± 5.0% and 72.6% ± 4.5%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 18.4 years (range, 4.2-23.3 years). Tumor progression occurred in 34 patients with a median time of 1.6 years. Death occurred in 34 patients from ependymoma (n = 24), secondary malignancy (n = 6), necrosis (n = 2), shunt failure (n = 1), and anaphylactic reaction (n = 1). Twenty-three patients developed a secondary tumor including 6 cases of fatal high-grade glioma. Of the surviving cohort and those ≥18 years old, 98% obtained a high school diploma, 64% had a current driver's license, 89% were students or employed full or part time, 32% were living independently, and 70% received higher education or training. CONCLUSIONS Long-term results of children treated using photon conformal RT after surgery demonstrate that adjuvant RT resulted in long-term disease control and functional independence. These results point to the need for new treatment strategies to improve tumor control and provide investigators hope that newer RT methods will further reduce complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle N Howe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Drucilla Y Edmonston
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennesse
| | - Grace C Dirks
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Frederick A Boop
- Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
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7
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Zhu K, Yang W, Ying Z, Cai Y, Peng X, Zhang N, Sun H, Ji Y, Ge M. Long-term postoperative quality of life in childhood survivors with cerebellar mutism syndrome. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1130331. [PMID: 36910828 PMCID: PMC9998537 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1130331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the long-term quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS) and explore the risk factors for a low QoL. Procedure This cross-sectional study investigated children who underwent posterior fossa surgery using an online Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory questionnaire. CMS and non-CMS patients were included to identify QoL predictors. Results Sixty-nine patients were included (male, 62.3%), 22 of whom had CMS. The mean follow-up time was 45.2 months. Children with CMS had a significantly lower mean QoL score (65.3 vs. 83.7, p < 0.001) and subdomain mean scores (physical; 57.8 vs. 85.3, p < 0.001; social: 69.5 vs. 85.1, p = 0.001; academic: p = 0.001) than those without CMS, except for the emotional domain (78.0 vs. 83.7, p = 0.062). Multivariable analysis revealed that CMS (coefficient = -14.748.61, p = 0.043), chemotherapy (coefficient = -7.629.82, p = 0.013), ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement (coefficient = -10.14, p = 0.024), and older age at surgery (coefficient = -1.1830, p = 0.007) were independent predictors of low total QoL scores. Physical scores were independently associated with CMS (coefficient = -27.4815.31, p = 0.005), VP shunt placement (coefficient = -12.86, p = 0.025), and radiotherapy (coefficient = -13.62, p = 0.007). Emotional score was negatively associated with age at surgery (coefficient = -1.92, p = 0.0337) and chemotherapy (coefficient = -9.11, p = 0.003). Social scores were negatively associated with male sex (coefficient = -13.68, p = 0.001) and VP shunt placement (coefficient = -1.36, p = 0.005), whereas academic scores were negatively correlated with chemotherapy (coefficient = -17.45, p < 0.001) and age at surgery (coefficient = -1.92, p = 0.002). Extent of resection (coefficient = 13.16, p = 0.021) was a good predictor of higher academic scores. Conclusion CMS results in long-term neurological and neuropsychological deficits, negatively affecting QoL, and warranting early rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyi Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Zesheng Ying
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yingjie Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - XiaoJiao Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Nijia Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Hailang Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanqi Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Ge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
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8
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Lönnerblad M, Berglund E, Åberg M, Blomgren K. Occupational outcomes after
high‐grade
or
low‐grade
brain tumors in childhood: A Swedish, nationwide,
registry‐based
study. Cancer Med 2022; 12:7459-7469. [PMID: 36419225 PMCID: PMC10067118 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivors of pediatric brain tumors are at high risk of late complications that may affect their daily life in both short- and long-term perspectives. METHODS In this nationwide registry-based study we explored the occupational outcomes, including employment, sickness or activity compensation and parental leave, in 452 individuals in Sweden, born 1988-1996, and diagnosed with a brain tumor before their 15th birthday. Their results were compared with 2188 matched controls. RESULTS There were significant differences between cases and controls for all assessed variables. The cases had benefitted from sickness or activity compensation 11 times more often than controls (CI 7.90-15.83; p < 0.001) between 2005 and 2016. Controls were almost three times more likely to have an employment (OR 0.36; CI 0.28-0.47; p < 0.001) and nearly twice as likely to have been on parental leave (OR 0.56; CI 0.39-0.80; p = 0.002). Although cases treated for high-grade tumors typically fared worse than those treated for low-grade tumors, significant differences for all assessed variables were also observed for cases treated for a low-grade tumor compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Our findings emphasize the need for follow-up programs for all brain tumor diagnoses, not only those known to be at most risk. This is evident, for example, from the high number of cases who received sickness or activity compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Lönnerblad
- Department of Women's and Children's Health Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Special Education Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Eva Berglund
- Department of Special Education Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Maria Åberg
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Klas Blomgren
- Department of Women's and Children's Health Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Paediatric Oncology Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
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Rhodes A, Martin S, Toledo-Tamula MA, Loucas C, Glod J, Warren KE, Wolters PL. The neuropsychological profile of children with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) before and after radiation therapy: A prospective longitudinal study. Child Neuropsychol 2022:1-25. [DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2022.2144189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Rhodes
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Staci Martin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mary Anne Toledo-Tamula
- Clinical Research Directorate (CRD), Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Caitlyn Loucas
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John Glod
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Katherine E. Warren
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pamela L. Wolters
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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10
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Torres VA, Ashford JM, Wright E, Xu J, Zhang H, Merchant TE, Conklin HM. The impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on cognitive outcomes following radiotherapy for pediatric brain tumors: a prospective, longitudinal trial. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:1173-1182. [PMID: 33543269 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic status (SES) is a determinant of cognitive and academic functioning among healthy and ill children; however, few pediatric oncology studies examine SES and long-term cognitive functioning. The current study systematically investigated SES as a predictor of cognitive outcomes among children treated for localized brain tumors (BT) with photon radiation therapy (RT). METHODS 248 children treated on a prospective, longitudinal, phase II trial of conformal RT (54-59.4 Gy) for ependymoma, low-grade glioma, or craniopharyngioma were monitored serially with cognitive assessments (intelligence quotient [IQ], reading, math, attention, adaptive function) for 10 years (2209 observations, median age at RT = 6.6 years, 48% male, 80% Caucasian). SES was derived from the Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status, which incorporates parental occupation, education, and marital status. RESULTS Overall, SES scores fell in the low range (Barratt median = 37). At pre-RT baseline, linear mixed models revealed significant associations between SES and IQ, reading, math, attention, and adaptive function, with higher SES associated with better performance (P < .005). SES predicted change over time in IQ, reading, and math; higher SES was associated with less decline (P < .001). Accounting for sex and age at RT, SES remained predictive of IQ, reading, and math. Analysis of variance revealed a greater relative contribution of SES than sex or age at RT to reading and math. CONCLUSIONS SES represents a novel predictor of cognitive performance before and after RT for pediatric BT. These findings have broad implications as high SES represents a protective factor. Developing interventions to mitigate the effects of low SES is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Torres
- Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA.,Department of Psychology, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | - Jiahui Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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11
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Eaton BR, Fong GW, Ingerski LM, Pulsifer MB, Goyal S, Zhang C, Weyman EA, Esiashvili N, Klosky JL, MacDonald TJ, Ebb DH, MacDonald SM, Tarbell NJ, Yock TI. Intellectual functioning among case-matched cohorts of children treated with proton or photon radiation for standard-risk medulloblastoma. Cancer 2021; 127:3840-3846. [PMID: 34255345 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proton therapy may reduce cognitive deficits after radiotherapy among brain tumor survivors, although current data are limited to retrospective comparisons between historical cohorts. The authors compared intelligence quotient scores within a case-matched cohort of children with medulloblastoma treated with proton radiation (PRT) or photon radiation (XRT) over the same time period. METHODS Among 88 consecutive patients with standard-risk medulloblastoma treated with PRT or XRT at 2 institutions from 2000 to 2009, 50 were matched 1:1 (25 with PRT and 25 with XRT) according to age, gender, date of diagnosis, histology, radiation boost, and craniospinal irradiation dose. One-way analyses of variance were performed to compare the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) and associated index scores between the 2 cohorts. RESULTS Neurocognitive data were available for 37 survivors (17 with PRT and 20 with XRT) from the matched cohort. The mean age was 8.5 years (SD, 4.14 years). The median follow-up was 5.3 years (range, 1.0-11.4 years) and 4.6 years (range, 1.1-11.2 years) for the PRT and XRT cohorts, respectively (P = .193). Patients treated with PRT had significantly higher mean FSIQ (99.6 vs 86.2; P = .021), verbal (105.2 vs 88.6; P = .010), and nonverbal scores (103.1 vs 88.9; P = .011) than the XRT-treated cohort. Differences in processing speed (82.9 vs 77.2; P = .331) and working memory (97.0 vs 92.7; P = .388) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Radiotherapy-associated cognitive effects appear to be more attenuated after proton therapy. Comprehensive prospective studies are needed to appropriately evaluate the neurocognitive advantages of proton therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bree R Eaton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Grace W Fong
- Department of Psychology, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lisa M Ingerski
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Margaret B Pulsifer
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Subir Goyal
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Elizabeth A Weyman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Natia Esiashvili
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - James L Klosky
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tobey J MacDonald
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - David H Ebb
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shannon M MacDonald
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nancy J Tarbell
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Torunn I Yock
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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12
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Eaton BR, Goldberg S, Tarbell NJ, Lawell MP, Gallotto SL, Weyman EA, Kuhlthau KA, Ebb DH, MacDonald SM, Yock TI. Long-term health-related quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors receiving proton radiotherapy at <4 years of age. Neuro Oncol 2021; 22:1379-1387. [PMID: 32064512 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this analysis is to report long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among brain tumor survivors treated with proton therapy (PRT) at a very young age. METHODS Fifty-nine children <4 years old received PRT between 2000 and 2011. Forty families participated. HRQoL was assessed by child self-report (CSR; age ≥5) and parent proxy report (PPR; age 2+) using the PedsQL Core. RESULTS The median age was 2.5 years (range, 0.3-3.8) at PRT and 9.1 years (5.5-18) at last follow-up. The most common diagnoses were ependymoma (n = 22) and medulloblastoma (n = 7). Median follow-up is 6.7 years (3-15.4). Follow-up mean CSR and PPR scores were: total core (78.4 and 72.9), physical (82.9 and 75.2), psychosocial (76.0 and 71.6), emotional (74.4 and 70.7), social (81.2 and 75.1), and school (72.4 and 69.9). Parent-reported HRQoL fell within a previously defined range for healthy children in 37.5% of patients, and for children with severe health conditions in 45% of patients. PPR HRQoL was stable from baseline to last follow-up among all domains except for social functioning. History of gastrostomy tube was significantly associated with poorer CSR and PPR HRQoL on multivariable analysis. Ninety percent of children functioned in a regular classroom, 14 (36%) used a classroom aid, 9 (23%) used an outside tutor, and 18 (46%) had an individualized education plan. CONCLUSION Long-term HRQoL among brain tumor survivors treated with PRT at a very young age is variable, with over a third achieving HRQoL levels commensurate with healthy children. KEY POINTS 1. One third of survivors reported long-term HRQoL scores comparable to those of healthy children.2. Treatment for hydrocephalus or a feeding tube was associated with significantly lower HRQoL.3. Total core HRQoL scores remained stable from baseline to last follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bree R Eaton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Saveli Goldberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nancy J Tarbell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Miranda P Lawell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sara L Gallotto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth A Weyman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Karen A Kuhlthau
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David H Ebb
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shannon M MacDonald
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Torunn I Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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13
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Khan RB, Bano M, Wang F, Haitao P, Christensen A, Smith J, Simmons A, Sadighi Z. Height, weight, and cardiovascular effects of stimulants on children with brain tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28740. [PMID: 33049111 PMCID: PMC7872133 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children with brain tumors may develop inattention, slow processing, and hypersomnia. Stimulant medications improve these problems, but their effect on growth, heart rate, and blood pressure (BP) are inadequately explored. PROCEDURE We retrospectively studied children with brain tumors treated at our institution that had data available for 1 year pre and 2 years on stimulant treatment. Tumor location, gender, radiation treatment (RT), age at RT, drug type, and hormone therapy were variables of interest. RESULTS We identified 65 children (35 males) that fulfilled eligibility criteria. Focal RT was utilized in 58; 11 additionally had whole brain RT; and seven received no RT. Thirty were treated for hypersomnia and inattention, eight for hypersomnia alone, and rest for inattention. Modafinil was the first drug in 18 (27.7%), and methylphenidate in the others. Forty-seven (72.3%), 45 (69.2%), and 49 (75.4%) were on thyroxine, cortisone, and growth hormones, respectively. There was no difference in pre- and post-stimulant body mass index (BMI), heart rate, and BP. There was also no difference between modafinil and methylphenidate groups. Rate of height acquisition slowed on stimulants (P = .0096). Thyroxine treatment correlated with increase in BMI after stimulants (P = .04). Younger age (P = .0003) and higher prestimulant BMI (P = .0063) correlated with increased heart rate on stimulants, while higher age at RT (P =.016) correlated with elevated systolic BP on stimulants. No associations were found with height acquisition and diastolic BP. CONCLUSION Stimulants are well tolerated by children with brain tumors that are appropriately managed for endocrine deficiencies, but may reduce the trajectory of height attainment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raja B. Khan
- Division of Neurology, St. Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Maha Bano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Pan Haitao
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Anthony Christensen
- Pharmaceutical Services, St. Jude Children’s research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jessica Smith
- Division of Neurology, St. Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Andrea Simmons
- Division of Neurology, St. Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Zsila Sadighi
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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14
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Willard VW, Berlin KS, Conklin HM, Merchant TE. Trajectories of psychosocial and cognitive functioning in pediatric patients with brain tumors treated with radiation therapy. Neuro Oncol 2020; 21:678-685. [PMID: 30624746 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric patients with brain tumors who are treated with radiation therapy (RT) are at risk for neurocognitive and psychosocial late effects. Research to date has primarily examined these outcomes at a group level and in isolation. Advanced statistical techniques allow for person-centered analyses, as well as examination of relationships between domain-specific trajectories. METHODS Patients with brain tumors (craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, low-grade astrocytoma, high-grade astrocytoma) were enrolled on a phase II clinical trial of RT. Three hundred and fifty patients completed serial neurocognitive assessments as part of their treatment monitoring, including pre-RT baseline, 6 months post-RT, and then yearly for 5 years. This secondary analysis focused on outcomes of cognition (estimated IQ, parent-reported attention problems) and psychosocial effects (parent-reported socialization and social problems) post-RT. RESULTS Latent growth curve modeling indicated that estimated IQ and socialization were best served by quadratic models, while attention and social problems were best served by linear models. Growth mixture modeling indicated 3-class models were the best fit for IQ and socialization, and 2-class models for attention and social problems. Baseline IQ and socialization scores were associated, but there was no association over time. Young age at diagnosis and pre-RT treatments (surgery, chemotherapy) were associated with class membership. CONCLUSIONS Person-centered statistical analyses provide rich information regarding the variability in neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning following RT for pediatric brain tumor. While many patients do well over time, a subset are exhibiting significant cognitive and/or psychosocial deficits. Class membership was associated with some medical factors (eg, pre-radiation surgery/chemotherapy, age at diagnosis, shunted hydrocephalus).
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria W Willard
- Department of Psychology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Heather M Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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15
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Wang Q, Cheng J, Zhang S, Li Q, Hui X, Ju Y. Supratentorial pediatric cortical ependymomas: a comprehensive retrospective study. Neurosurg Rev 2020; 44:1543-1551. [PMID: 32607870 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-020-01336-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric cortical ependymomas (CEs) are rare; the clinical features and optimal treatment remain ill-defined. We aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics and outcome of pediatric CEs based on institutional series and literature review. Thirteen children with CEs from our department were included in the present study. Furthermore, a search of English language peer-reviewed articles yielded 43 patients with CEs. The clinical data, treatment, and outcome were retrospectively reviewed and statistically analyzed. Our institutional series consisted of nine males and four females. The literature review yielded 56 pediatric CE cases (including ours) for further analysis. Of these 56 cases, frontal lobe (n = 19, 41.3%) was the most common location and most of the tumors were located in the right hemisphere (n = 27, 58.7%). Seizures (n = 23, 41.1%) were the most frequent preoperative symptoms. Thirty patients (n = 30, 53.6%) were WHO grade II. Five continuous patients in our series screened for C11orf95-RELA fusion and all the patients (100%) were RELA fusion positive. Fourteen (26.4%) patients experienced tumor recurrence and 4 (7.5%) patients died during the follow-up. Multivariate survival analysis depicted extent of surgery resection was the only prognostic factor for PFS and patient with gross total resection (P = 0.037, HR 3.682, 95% CI 1.082-13.79) had longer PFS. Furthermore, Log-rank testing for Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed the extent of surgery resection (P = 0.007) was the only prognostic factor for OS. Pediatric CEs are rare, commonly seen in frontal lobe and right hemisphere. Seizures are the most common symptoms. They may have higher rate of RELA fusions, but favorable outcome. A low incidence of anaplastic histology has been depicted. Gross total resection is significantly associated with longer PFS and OS. Careful follow-up is necessary because the tumors may progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiguang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Wu Hou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Wu Hou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Si Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Wu Hou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Wu Hou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuhui Hui
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Wu Hou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Ju
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Wu Hou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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16
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Beuriat PA, Cristofori I, Richard N, Bardi L, Loriette C, Szathmari A, Di Rocco F, Leblond P, Frappaz D, Faure-Conter C, Claude L, Mottolese C, Desmurget M. Cerebellar lesions at a young age predict poorer long-term functional recovery. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa027. [PMID: 32954287 PMCID: PMC7425375 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Early studies on long-term functional recovery after motor and premotor lesions showed better outcomes in younger monkeys than in older monkeys. This finding led to the widespread belief that brain injuries cause less impairment in children than adults. However, this view has limitations and a large body of evidence now indicates that cerebral damages can be more harmful when inflicted at young age, during critical periods of neural development. To date, this issue has been mainly investigated in the context of focal and diffuse cortical lesions. Much less is known about the potential influence of early cerebellar damages. Several studies exist in survivor of posterior fossa tumours. However, in these studies, critical confounders were not always considered and contradictory conclusions were provided. We studied the impact or early cerebellar damage on long-term functional recovery in three groups of 15 posterior fossa survivors, comparable with respect to their tumour characteristics (type, size and location) but operated at different ages: young (≤7 years), middle (>7 and ≤13 years) and older (>13 years). Daily (health-related quality of life scale, performance status scale), motor (International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, Pegboard Purdue Test) and cognitive (full-scale intelligence quotient) functioning were assessed. A general linear model controlling for age at surgery, radiotherapy, preservation of deep cerebellar nuclei, tumour volume and delay between surgery and assessment was used to investigate significant variations in outcome measures. Early age at surgery, lesion of deep cerebellar nuclei and postoperative radiotherapy had a significant, independent negative influence on long-term recovery. Tumour volume and delay between surgery and assessment had no statistically detectable impact. The negative influence of early age at surgery was significant in all domains: daily functioning (health-related quality of life scale, performance status scale), motor functioning (International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale, Pegboard Purdue Test) and cognitive functioning (full-scale intelligence quotient). These results support the existence of an early critical period of development during which the cerebellar ‘learning machine’ is of critical importance. Although the extent to which the early deficits here observed can be reversed needs now to be established, our data plead for the implementation of prompt and intense rehabilitation interventions in children operated before 7 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Aurélien Beuriat
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France.,Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Irene Cristofori
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Nathalie Richard
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Lara Bardi
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Celia Loriette
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Alexandru Szathmari
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France.,Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Federico Di Rocco
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France.,Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Pierre Leblond
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Institut d'hématologie et d'oncologie Pédiatrique, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Didier Frappaz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Institut d'hématologie et d'oncologie Pédiatrique, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Cécile Faure-Conter
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Institut d'hématologie et d'oncologie Pédiatrique, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Line Claude
- Department of Radiotherapy, Centre Léon Bérard, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Carmine Mottolese
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France.,Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Michel Desmurget
- Institute of Cognitive Science Marc Jeannerod, CNRS/UMR 5229, 69500 Bron, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
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17
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Ottensmeier H, Schlegel PG, Eyrich M, Wolff JE, Juhnke BO, von Hoff K, Frahsek S, Schmidt R, Faldum A, Fleischhack G, von Bueren A, Friedrich C, Resch A, Warmuth-Metz M, Krauss J, Kortmann RD, Bode U, Kühl J, Rutkowski S. Treatment of children under 4 years of age with medulloblastoma and ependymoma in the HIT2000/HIT-REZ 2005 trials: Neuropsychological outcome 5 years after treatment. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227693. [PMID: 31971950 PMCID: PMC6977734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Young children with brain tumours are at high risk of developing treatment-related sequelae. We aimed to assess neuropsychological outcomes 5 years after treatment. This cross-sectional study included children under 4 years of age with medulloblastoma (MB) or ependymoma (EP) enrolled in the German brain tumour trials HIT2000 and HIT-REZ2005. Testing was performed using the validated Wuerzburg Intelligence Diagnostics (WUEP-D), which includes Kaufman-Assessment-Battery, Coloured Progressive Matrices, Visual-Motor Integration, finger tapping “Speed”, and the Continuous Performance Test. Of 104 patients in 47 centres, 72 were eligible for analyses. We assessed whether IQ was impacted by disease extent, disease location, patient age, gender, age at surgery, and treatment (chemotherapy with our without craniospinal irradiation [CSI] or local radiotherapy [LRT]). Median age at surgery was 2.3 years. Testing was performed at a median of 4.9 years after surgery. Patients with infratentorial EPs (treated with LRT) scored highest in fluid intelligence (CPM 100.9±16.9, mean±SD); second best scores were achieved by patients with MB without metastasis treated with chemotherapy alone (CPM 93.9±13.2), followed by patients with supratentorial EPs treated with LRT. In contrast, lowest scores were achieved by patients that received chemotherapy and CSI, which included children with metastasised MB and those with relapsed MB M0 (CPM 71.7±8.0 and 73.2±21.8, respectively). Fine motor skills were reduced in all groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that type of treatment had an impact on IQ, but essentially not age at surgery, time since surgery or gender. Our results confirm previous reports on the detrimental effects of CSI in a larger cohort of children. Comparable IQ scores in children with MB treated only with chemotherapy and in children with EP suggest that this treatment strategy represents an attractive option for children who have a high chance to avoid application of CSI. Longitudinal follow-up examinations are warranted to assess long-term neuropsychological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Ottensmeier
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Wuerzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Paul G. Schlegel
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Medical Center, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Eyrich
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes E. Wolff
- AbbvVie, Oncology Development, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Björn-Ole Juhnke
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katja von Hoff
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Frahsek
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Rene Schmidt
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Andreas Faldum
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Andre von Bueren
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carsten Friedrich
- Department of Haematology Oncology, University Children´s Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anika Resch
- Department of Haematology Oncology, University Children´s Hospital Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Monika Warmuth-Metz
- Department of Neuroradiology, HIT 2000 National Reference Center, University Medical Center Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krauss
- Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, University of Wuerzburg, University Medical Center Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Rolf D. Kortmann
- Department of Radiotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Udo Bode
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim Kühl
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Rutkowski
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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18
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Lester A, McDonald KL. Intracranial ependymomas: molecular insights and translation to treatment. Brain Pathol 2020; 30:3-12. [PMID: 31433520 PMCID: PMC8018002 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ependymomas are primary central nervous system tumors (CNS), arising within the posterior fossa and supratentorial regions of the brain, and in the spine. Over the last decade, research has resulted in substantial insights into the molecular characteristics of ependymomas, and significant advances have been made in the establishment of a molecular classification system. Ependymomas both within and between the three CNS regions in which they arise, have been shown to contain distinct genetic, epigenetic and cytogenic aberrations, with at least three molecularly distinct subgroups identified within each region. However, these advances in molecular characterization have yet to be translated into clinical practice, with the standard treatment for ependymoma patients largely unchanged. This review summarizes the advances made in the molecular characterization of intracranial ependymomas, outlines the progress made in establishing preclinical models and proposes strategies for moving toward subgroup-specific preclinical investigations and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh Lester
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research CentreUniversity of NSWSydneyAustralia
| | - Kerrie L. McDonald
- Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research CentreUniversity of NSWSydneyAustralia
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19
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Seidel C, Dietzsch S, Kortmann RD, Schackert G, Hau P. Radiation Therapy in Ependymal Tumors. Radiat Oncol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52619-5_4-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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20
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Raghubar KP, Orobio J, Ris MD, Heitzer AM, Roth A, Brown AL, Okcu MF, Chintagumpala M, Grosshans DR, Paulino AC, Mahajan A, Kahalley LS. Adaptive functioning in pediatric brain tumor survivors: An examination of ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019; 66:e27800. [PMID: 31134755 PMCID: PMC6730637 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivors of pediatric brain tumor are at risk for adaptive difficulties. The present study examined adaptive functioning in a multiethnic sample of survivors accounting for socioeconomic status, and whether demographic, diagnostic, and/or treatment-related variables predict adaptive outcomes. METHOD Participants included a multiethnic sample of survivors (58 Caucasian, 34 Hispanic, and 22 other non-Caucasian; M age = 14.05 years, SD = 4.33) who were approximately seven years post-treatment. Parents rated adaptive functioning and provided demographic information. Diagnostic and treatment-related information was abstracted from the electronic medical record. RESULTS Parent ratings of adaptive functioning were similar across Caucasian, Hispanic, and other non-Caucasian survivors covarying for family income and primary caregiver education, both of which served as proxies for socioeconomic status. All ethnic groups were rated lower than the normative mean in overall adaptive functioning as well as the specific domains of conceptual, social, and practical skills. Demographic, diagnostic, and treatment-related variables were differentially associated with adaptive functioning in survivors of pediatric brain tumor, though socioeconomic status emerged as a strong significant predictor of adaptive functioning domains. CONCLUSIONS Adaptive outcomes do not differ as a function of ethnicity after accounting for primary caregiver education and family income. Racial and ethnic minorities may be at increased risk for poorer outcomes given their overrepresentation at lower income levels. Assessing demographic and treatment-related variables early on may be helpful in identifying children likely to develop adaptive difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly P. Raghubar
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jessica Orobio
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - M. Douglas Ris
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Andrew M. Heitzer
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Alexandra Roth
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Austin L. Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - M. Fatih Okcu
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Murali Chintagumpala
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - David R. Grosshans
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States
| | - Arnold C. Paulino
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States
| | - Anita Mahajan
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States
| | - Lisa S. Kahalley
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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21
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Sabnis DH, Storer LCD, Liu JF, Jackson HK, Kilday JP, Grundy RG, Kerr ID, Coyle B. A role for ABCB1 in prognosis, invasion and drug resistance in ependymoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10290. [PMID: 31311995 PMCID: PMC6635358 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46700-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Three of the hallmarks of poor prognosis in paediatric ependymoma are drug resistance, local invasion and recurrence. We hypothesised that these hallmarks were due to the presence of a sub-population of cancer stem cells expressing the multi-drug efflux transporter ABCB1. ABCB1 gene expression was observed in 4 out of 5 paediatric ependymoma cell lines and increased in stem cell enriched neurospheres. Functional inhibition of ABCB1 using vardenafil or verapamil significantly (p ≤ 0.05–0.001) potentiated the response to three chemotherapeutic drugs (vincristine, etoposide and methotrexate). Both inhibitors were also able to significantly reduce migration (p ≤ 0.001) and invasion (p ≤ 0.001). We demonstrate that ABCB1 positive patients from an infant chemotherapy-led trial (CNS9204) had a shorter mean event free survival (EFS) (2.7 versus 8.6 years; p = 0.007 log-rank analysis) and overall survival (OS) (5.4 versus 12 years; p = 0.009 log-rank analysis). ABCB1 positivity also correlated with reduced event free survival in patients with incompletely resected tumours who received chemotherapy across CNS9204 and CNS9904 (a radiotherapy-led SIOP 1999-04 trial cohort; p = 0.03). ABCB1 is a predictive marker of chemotherapy response in ependymoma patients and vardenafil, currently used to treat paediatric pulmonary hypertension in children, could be repurposed to reduce chemoresistance, migration and invasion in paediatric ependymoma patients at non-toxic concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durgagauri H Sabnis
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Lisa C D Storer
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jo-Fen Liu
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Hannah K Jackson
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - J P Kilday
- Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Children's Brain Tumour Research Network & Institute of Cancer Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Richard G Grundy
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ian D Kerr
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Beth Coyle
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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22
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Thomas S, Reynolds D, Morrall MCHJ, Limond J, Chevignard M, Calaminus G, Poggi G, Bennett E, Frappaz D, Slade D, Gautier J, McQuilton P, Massimino M, Grundy R. The European Society of Paediatric Oncology Ependymoma-II program Core-Plus model: Development and initial implementation of a cognitive test protocol for an international brain tumour trial. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2019; 23:560-570. [PMID: 31182404 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
It is increasingly accepted that survival alone is an inadequate measure of the success of childhood brain tumour treatments. Consequently, there is growing emphasis on capturing quality of survival. Ependymomas are the third most frequently occurring brain tumours in childhood and present significant clinical challenges. European Society of Paediatric Oncology Ependymoma II is a comprehensive international program aiming to evaluate outcomes under different treatment regimens and improve diagnostic accuracy. Importantly, there has been agreement to lower the age at which children with posterior fossa ependymoma undergo focal irradiation from three years to either eighteen months or one year of age. Hitherto radiotherapy in Europe had been reserved for children over three years due to concerns over adverse cognitive outcomes following irradiation of the developing brain. There is therefore a duty of care to include longitudinal cognitive follow-up and this has been agreed as an essential trial outcome. Discussions between representatives of 18 participating European countries over 10 years have yielded European consensus for an internationally accepted test battery for follow-up of childhood ependymoma survivors. The 'Core-Plus' model incorporates a two-tier approach to assessment by specifying core tests to establish a minimum dataset where resources are limited, whilst maintaining scope for comprehensive assessment where feasible. The challenges leading to the development of the Core-Plus model are presented alongside learning from the initial stages of the trial. We propose that this model could provide a solution for future international trials addressing both childhood brain tumours and other conditions associated with cognitive morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Thomas
- Department of Paediatric Neuropsychology, Nottingham Children's Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK; Child Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - D Reynolds
- Department of Paediatric Neuropsychology, Nottingham Children's Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK; Child Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - M C H J Morrall
- Department of Paediatric Neuropsychology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK
| | - J Limond
- Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Washington Singer Laboratories, University of Exeter, Perry Road, EX4 4QG, UK
| | - M Chevignard
- Rehabilitation Department for Children with Acquired Neurological Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals, 14, rue du Val d'Osne, 94410, Saint Maurice, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, LIB, 75006 Paris, France
| | - G Calaminus
- University Children's Hospital Bonn, Adenauerallee 119, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - G Poggi
- Neuro-Oncological Rehabilitation Unit- IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - E Bennett
- Department of Paediatric Neuropsychology, Nottingham Children's Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - D Frappaz
- Institut d'Hématologie Oncologie pédiatrique, Lyon, France
| | - D Slade
- Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU), Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - J Gautier
- Institut d'Hématologie Oncologie pédiatrique, Lyon, France
| | - P McQuilton
- Department of Paediatric Neuropsychology, Nottingham Children's Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK; Child Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - M Massimino
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - R Grundy
- Child Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
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23
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Pollack IF, Agnihotri S, Broniscer A. Childhood brain tumors: current management, biological insights, and future directions. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019; 23:261-273. [PMID: 30835699 PMCID: PMC6823600 DOI: 10.3171/2018.10.peds18377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children, and, unfortunately, many subtypes continue to have a suboptimal long-term outcome. During the last several years, however, remarkable advances in our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of these tumors have occurred as a result of high-resolution genomic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic profiling, which have provided insights for improved tumor categorization and molecularly directed therapies. While tumors such as medulloblastomas have been historically grouped into standard- and high-risk categories, it is now recognized that these tumors encompass four or more molecular subsets with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. Likewise, high-grade glioma, which for decades was considered a single high-risk entity, is now known to comprise multiple subsets of tumors that differ in terms of patient age, tumor location, and prognosis. The situation is even more complex for ependymoma, for which at least nine subsets of tumors have been described. Conversely, the majority of pilocytic astrocytomas appear to result from genetic changes that alter a single, therapeutically targetable molecular pathway. Accordingly, the present era is one in which treatment is evolving from the historical standard of radiation and conventional chemotherapy to a more nuanced approach in which these modalities are applied in a risk-adapted framework and molecularly targeted therapies are implemented to augment or, in some cases, replace conventional therapy. Herein, the authors review advances in the categorization and treatment of several of the more common pediatric brain tumors and discuss current and future directions in tumor management that hold significant promise for patients with these challenging tumors.
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24
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Merchant TE, Bendel AE, Sabin ND, Burger PC, Shaw DW, Chang E, Wu S, Zhou T, Eisenstat DD, Foreman NK, Fuller CE, Anderson ET, Hukin J, Lau CC, Pollack IF, Laningham FH, Lustig RH, Armstrong FD, Handler MH, Williams-Hughes C, Kessel S, Kocak M, Ellison DW, Ramaswamy V. Conformal Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Ependymoma, Chemotherapy for Incompletely Resected Ependymoma, and Observation for Completely Resected, Supratentorial Ependymoma. J Clin Oncol 2019; 37:974-983. [PMID: 30811284 DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.01765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The Children's Oncology Group trial ACNS0121 estimated event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival for children with intracranial ependymoma treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and-selectively-with chemotherapy. Treatment was administered according to tumor location, histologic grade, and extent of resection. The impacts of histologic grade, focal copy number gain on chromosome 1q, and DNA methylation profiles were studied for those undergoing surgery and immediate postoperative conformal radiation therapy (CRT). METHODS ACNS0121 included 356 newly diagnosed patients (ages 1 to 21 years). Patients with classic supratentorial ependymoma were observed after gross total resection (GTR). Those undergoing subtotal resection received chemotherapy, second surgery, and CRT. The remaining patients received immediate postoperative CRT after near-total resection or GTR. CRT was administered with a 1.0-cm clinical target volume margin. The cumulative total dose was 59.4 Gy, except for patients who underwent GTR and were younger than age 18 months (who received 54 Gy). Patients were enrolled between October 2003 and September 2007 and were observed for 5 years. Supratentorial tumors were evaluated for RELA fusion; infratentorial tumors, for chromosome 1q gain. Classification of posterior fossa groups A and B was made by methylation profiles. RESULTS The 5-year EFS rates were 61.4% (95% CI, 34.5% to 89.6%), 37.2% (95% CI, 24.8% to 49.6%), and 68.5% (95% CI, 62.8% to 74.2%) for observation, subtotal resection, and near-total resection/GTR groups given immediate postoperative CRT, respectively. The 5-year EFS rates differed significantly by tumor grade (P = .0044) but not by age, location, RELA fusion status, or posterior fossa A/posterior fossa B grouping. EFS was higher for patients with infratentorial tumors without 1q gain than with 1q gain (82.8% [95% CI, 74.4% to 91.2%] v 47.4% [95% CI, 26.0% to 68.8%]; P = .0013). CONCLUSION The EFS for patients with ependymoma younger than 3 years of age who received immediate postoperative CRT and for older patients is similar. Irradiation should remain the mainstay of care for most subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne E Bendel
- 2 Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Noah D Sabin
- 1 St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Peter C Burger
- 3 Johns Hopkins University/Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Eric Chang
- 5 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.,6 Norris Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Shengjie Wu
- 1 St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Tianni Zhou
- 7 California State University, Long Beach, CA
| | - David D Eisenstat
- 8 University of Alberta and University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,9 Edmonton Clinic Health, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Juliette Hukin
- 12 British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ching C Lau
- 13 Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT.,15 University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
| | - Ian F Pollack
- 16 Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | - Robert H Lustig
- 18 University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA
| | - Floyd D Armstrong
- 19 University of Miami Miller School of Medicine-Sylvester Cancer Center, Miami, FL
| | | | | | | | - Mehmet Kocak
- 1 St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
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25
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Zapotocky M, Beera K, Adamski J, Laperierre N, Guger S, Janzen L, Lassaletta A, Figueiredo Nobre L, Bartels U, Tabori U, Hawkins C, Urbach S, Tsang DS, Dirks PB, Taylor MD, Bouffet E, Mabbott DJ, Ramaswamy V. Survival and functional outcomes of molecularly defined childhood posterior fossa ependymoma: Cure at a cost. Cancer 2019; 125:1867-1876. [PMID: 30768777 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.31995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posterior fossa ependymoma (PFE) comprises 2 groups, PF group A (PFA) and PF group B (PFB), with stark differences in outcome. However, to the authors' knowledge, the long-term outcomes of PFA ependymoma have not been described fully. The objective of the current study was to identify predictors of survival and neurocognitive outcome in a large consecutive cohort of subgrouped patients with PFE over 30 years. METHODS Demographic, survival, and neurocognitive data were collected from consecutive patients diagnosed with PFE from 1985 through 2014 at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Subgroup was assigned using genome-wide methylation array and/or immunoreactivity to histone H3 K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). RESULTS A total of 72 PFE cases were identified, 89% of which were PFA. There were no disease recurrences noted among patients with PFB. The 10-year progression-free survival rate for all patients with PFA was poor at 37.1% (95% confidence interval, 25.9%-53.1%). Analysis of consecutive 10-year epochs revealed significant improvements in progression-free survival and/or overall survival over time. This pertains to the increase in the rate of gross (macroscopic) total resection from 35% to 77% and the use of upfront radiotherapy increasing from 65% to 96% over the observed period and confirmed in a multivariable model. Using a mixed linear model, analysis of longitudinal neuropsychological outcomes restricted to patients with PFA who were treated with focal irradiation demonstrated significant continuous declines in the full-scale intelligence quotient over time with upfront conformal radiotherapy, even when correcting for hydrocephalus, number of surgeries, and age at diagnosis (-1.33 ± 0.42 points/year; P = .0042). CONCLUSIONS Data from a molecularly informed large cohort of patients with PFE clearly indicate improved survival over time, related to more aggressive surgery and upfront radiotherapy. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first, in a subgrouped cohort, to demonstrate that this approach results in reduced neurocognitive outcomes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Zapotocky
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Second Medical School, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kiran Beera
- Programme in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jenny Adamski
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatric Oncology, Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Normand Laperierre
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sharon Guger
- Department of Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura Janzen
- Programme in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alvaro Lassaletta
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Paediatric Hematology and Oncology, Child Jesus Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ute Bartels
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Uri Tabori
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynthia Hawkins
- Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stacey Urbach
- Division of Endocrinology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Derek S Tsang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter B Dirks
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Programme in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D Taylor
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Programme in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donald J Mabbott
- Programme in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vijay Ramaswamy
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Programme in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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26
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Kaushal T, Satapathy S, Chadda RK, Bakhshi S, Sagar R, Sapra S. Hospital Based Psychosocial Support Program for Children with ALL and their Families: A Comprehensive Triad's Perspective. Indian J Pediatr 2019; 86:118-125. [PMID: 29679216 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-018-2679-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To elucidate potential target areas of intervention and mechanisms for implementation of intervention for children with cancer during the treatment phase. METHODS Focused group discussion (FGDs) served as a primary source of providing phenomenal perspectives to explore the key objective. Eight focus groups of 45-60 min each were held with 5-9 members in each discussion. The participants were either patients, their caregivers or health care providers. The focus group audio recordings were professionally transcribed after all identifiers were removed. Employing a constructivist paradigm with a phenomenological approach, also known as emergent-systematic focus group design the study reported on families' experiences of childhood cancer as construction of objective reality. Investigator triangulation method was adopted to ensure trustworthiness. RESULTS Using constant comparison analysis, multistage process analysis was done which resulted in 849 codes, 32 subthemes, 20 themes and 5 domains. A total of 64 participants participated: 4 FGDs with parents of children with ALL (n = 31); 1 FGD with professionals working in the field of cancer (n = 10) and 3 FGDs with children with ALL (n = 23). Participant's mean age at the time of study was 10 y (+3.3) for children; 37 y (+4.93) for caregivers and 35 y (+3.5) for professionals. The number of participants and their age range at study varied slightly between the eight focus groups. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers presented care burden and compromised aspects of Quality of life (QOL). An effective and culturally sensitive psychosocial support for patients and their families during and post treatment, in addition to medical therapy, is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanuja Kaushal
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Sujata Satapathy
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Chadda
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sameer Bakhshi
- Dr. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajesh Sagar
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Savita Sapra
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Yecies D, Azad TD, Esparza R, Quon JL, Forkert ND, MacEachern SJ, Bruckert L, Maleki M, Edwards MSB, Grant GA, Yeom KW. Long-Term Supratentorial Radiologic Effects of Surgery and Local Radiation in Children with Infratentorial Ependymoma. World Neurosurg 2018; 122:e1300-e1304. [PMID: 30448581 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current standard of care for children with infratentorial ependymoma includes maximal safe resection and local radiation of 54-59 Gray. High-dose local radiation has been associated with declines in multiple cognitive domains. The anatomic and physiologic correlates of this cognitive decline remain undefined, and there have been no radiographic studies on the long-term effects of this treatment paradigm. METHODS A comprehensive database of pediatric brain tumor patients treated at Stanford Children's from 2004-2016 was queried. Seven patients with posterior fossa ependymoma who were treated with surgery and local radiation alone, who had no evidence of recurrent disease, and had imaging suitable for analysis were identified. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging datasets were used to calculate apparent diffusion coefficient maps for each subject, while arterial spin labeling datasets were used to calculate maps of cerebral blood flow. Diffusion-weighted imaging and arterial spin labeling datasets of 52 age-matched healthy children were analyzed in the same fashion to enable group comparisons. RESULTS Several statistically significant differences were detected between the 2 groups. Cerebral blood flow was lower in the caudate and pallidum and higher in the nucleus accumbens in the ependymoma cohort compared with controls. Apparent diffusion coefficient was increased in the thalamus and trended toward decreased in the amygdala. CONCLUSIONS Surgery and local radiation for posterior fossa ependymoma are associated with supratentorial apparent diffusion coefficient and cerebral blood flow alterations, which may represent an anatomic and physiologic correlate to the previously published decline in neurocognitive outcomes in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Yecies
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
| | - Tej D Azad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Rogelio Esparza
- Department of Neurosurgery, NYU School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer L Quon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Nils D Forkert
- Department of Radiology and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarah J MacEachern
- Department of Radiology and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lisa Bruckert
- Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Maryam Maleki
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael S B Edwards
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Gerald A Grant
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kristen W Yeom
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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28
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Deng X, Lin D, Yu L, Xu X, Zhang N, Zhou H, Sheng H, Yin B, Lin F, Xu S, Li D, Fang J, Lu X, Lin J. The role of postoperative radiotherapy in pediatric patients with grade II intracranial ependymomas: a population-based, propensity score-matched study. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 10:5515-5524. [PMID: 30519099 PMCID: PMC6233483 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s181900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The main objectives of this study were to clarify the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for pediatric intracranial grade II ependymomas (EPNs) and to explore whether various characteristics are associated with different outcomes in patients with and without PORT. Patients and methods Data from patients younger than 18 years diagnosed with grade II intracranial EPNs and treated by surgery, with or without PORT, were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1973–2013 data set). Propensity score-matched analysis was conducted to balance clinical variables. Patient characteristics were stratified and analyzed. Results In total, data from 632 patients with grade II EPNs treated by cancer-directed surgery with or without PORT were obtained from the SEER database. Multivariable Cox analysis in the matched cohort suggested that undergoing PORT (overall survival [OS], P=0.020; cancer-specific survival [CSS], P=0.031), undergoing gross total resection (GTR; subtotal resection [STR] vs GTR; OS, P<0.001; CSS, P<0.001), and older age (OS, P<0.001; CSS, P<0.001) were the independent predictors of superior prognosis. Stratified analysis demonstrated that patient characteristics, including infratentorial location, younger age, and STR, were associated with benefit from PORT, while the survival advantage was not detected in patients who underwent GTR. Conclusion Propensity score-matched analysis using SEER data indicates survival advantages of PORT. Given the strong prognostic associations with extent of resection and patient age, we recommend PORT for younger patients treated by STR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Dongdong Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Lisheng Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Xingxing Xu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Hansong Sheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Bo Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Fengchun Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Shangyu Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Dandong Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Junhao Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Xiangqi Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
| | - Jian Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China,
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Estimated IQ Systematically Underestimates Neurocognitive Sequelae in Irradiated Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018; 101:541-549. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Doger de Spéville E, Kieffer V, Dufour C, Grill J, Noulhiane M, Hertz-Pannier L, Chevignard M. Neuropsychological consequences of childhood medulloblastoma and possible interventions: A review. Neurochirurgie 2018; 67:90-98. [PMID: 29716738 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children who have been treated for a medulloblastoma often suffer long-term cognitive impairments that often negatively affect their academic performance and quality of life. In this article, we will review the neuropsychological consequences of childhood medulloblastoma and discuss the risk factors known to influence the presence and severity of these cognitive impairments and possible interventions to improve their quality of life. METHODS This narrative review was based on electronic searches of PubMed to identify all relevant studies. RESULTS Although many types of cognitive impairments often emerge during a child's subsequent development, the core cognitive domains that are most often affected in children treated for a medulloblastoma are processing speed, attention and working memory. The emergence and magnitude of these deficits varies greatly among patients. They are influenced by demographic (age at diagnosis, parental education), medical and treatment-related factors (perioperative complications, including posterior fossa syndrome, radiation therapy dose, etc.), and the quality of interventions such as school adaptations provided to the child or rehabilitation programs that focus on cognitive skills, behavior and psychosocial functioning. CONCLUSION These patients require specialized and coordinated multidisciplinary rehabilitation follow-up that provides timely and adapted assessments and culminates in personalized intervention goals being set with the patient and the family. Follow-up should be continued until referral to adult services.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Doger de Spéville
- Inserm U1129, CEA, Paris Descartes university, 75005 Paris, France; UNIACT, institut Joliot, DRF, Neurospin, CEA, Paris Saclay university, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; Department of pediatric and adolescent oncology, Gustave-Roussy, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | - V Kieffer
- Department of pediatric and adolescent oncology, Gustave-Roussy, 94800 Villejuif, France; CSI (Outreach team for children and adolescents with acquired brain injury), department for children with acquired brain injury, hôpitaux de Saint-Maurice, 94410 Saint-Maurice, France
| | - C Dufour
- Department of pediatric and adolescent oncology, Gustave-Roussy, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | - J Grill
- Department of pediatric and adolescent oncology, Gustave-Roussy, 94800 Villejuif, France
| | - M Noulhiane
- Inserm U1129, CEA, Paris Descartes university, 75005 Paris, France; UNIACT, institut Joliot, DRF, Neurospin, CEA, Paris Saclay university, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - L Hertz-Pannier
- Inserm U1129, CEA, Paris Descartes university, 75005 Paris, France; UNIACT, institut Joliot, DRF, Neurospin, CEA, Paris Saclay university, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - M Chevignard
- CSI (Outreach team for children and adolescents with acquired brain injury), department for children with acquired brain injury, hôpitaux de Saint-Maurice, 94410 Saint-Maurice, France; Rehabilitation department for children with acquired neurological injury, and outreach team for children and adolescents with acquired brain injury, Saint-Maurice hospitals, 14, rue du Val-d'Osne, 94410 Saint-Maurice, France; Sorbonne université, laboratoire d'imagerie biomédicale, LIB, 75006 Paris, France; GRC n(o) 18, handicap cognitif et réadaptation (HanCRe)- Sorbonne université, 75013 Paris, France.
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Ventura LM, Grieco JA, Evans CL, Kuhlthau KA, MacDonald SM, Tarbell NJ, Yock TI, Pulsifer MB. Executive functioning, academic skills, and quality of life in pediatric patients with brain tumors post-proton radiation therapy. J Neurooncol 2017; 137:119-126. [PMID: 29214403 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-017-2703-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is integral in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors; however, photon RT (XRT) often results in intellectual decline, executive functioning (EF) deficits, academic underachievement/failure, and lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Proton RT (PRT) provides more targeted therapy, minimizing damage to the developing brain, yet few studies have examined its neuropsychological effects. This study investigated the role of EF in academic skills and HRQoL in a sample of children treated with PRT. A mediation model was proposed in which academic skills mediated relations between aspects of EF and school-based HRQoL (sHRQoL). Sixty-five children (x̅age = 12.4; 43.9% male) treated with PRT completed follow-up neuropsychological testing as part of routine care. Measures included assessment of intellectual functioning, EF, attention, and academic skills (reading, math, spelling). Parents reported on children's EF and attention problems. sHRQoL was assessed via child self-report. Children who underwent PRT demonstrated relatively intact intelligence, academics, attention, EF, and sHRQoL, but were at risk for reduced processing speed. Poorer working memory and processing speed were related to lower sHRQoL. Better EF and faster processing speed were associated with better academic skills, which were linked to higher sHRQoL. Better working memory was associated with better math performance, which was linked to higher sHRQoL; this relationship did not hold for reading or spelling. Results highlight the importance of EF skills in academic performance and sHRQoL, and the need for routine screening of EF deficits and proactive supports. Supports may include cognitive rehabilitation and in-class accommodations. Overall, results compare favorably to XRT outcomes reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea M Ventura
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychology Assessment Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Julie A Grieco
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Casey L Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Karen A Kuhlthau
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Shannon M MacDonald
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Nancy J Tarbell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Torunn I Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Margaret B Pulsifer
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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Lönnerblad M, Lovio R, Berglund E, van’t Hooft I. Affected Aspects Regarding Literacy and Numeracy in Children Treated for Brain Tumors. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 2017; 34:397-405. [DOI: 10.1177/1043454217717237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the test results of reading speed, reading comprehension, word comprehension, spelling, basic arithmetic skills, and number sense (intuitive understanding of numbers) by children treated for brain tumors. This is a retrospective study based on medical records, including standardized academic tests. In the years of 2010 to 2014, all children in the area of Stockholm between 7 and 18 years (IQ <70) who had no major linguistic or motor difficulties after they had undergone treatment for brain tumors were offered a special education assessment one year after treatment, at school start, or the year before a transition from one stage to another. Our results indicate that children treated for a brain tumor are at risk of having difficulties in spelling, reading speed, and arithmetic and that the test performance may decline over years in arithmetic and spelling. Children diagnosed at age 0 to 6 years may need extra tutoring at school start, especially in basic arithmetic skills. In both reading and mathematics, many children perform better on tests focused on understanding than on tests focused on speed. Continuous special needs assessments including different aspects of literacy and numeracy, are important for understanding each child’s specific needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Lönnerblad
- Neuropediatric Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Special Education, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Riikka Lovio
- Functional Area Medical Psychology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Berglund
- Department of Special Education, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingrid van’t Hooft
- Neuropediatric Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract
Ependymoma is a locally aggressive tumor with metastatic potential that arises in diverse locations throughout the brain and spine in children. Tumor and treatment may result in significant morbidity. Cure remains elusive for many patients owing to diverse biology and resistance to conventional therapy. The implementation of systematic postoperative irradiation in clinical trials during the past 20 years has increased the proportion of patients achieving durable disease control with excellent results, as measured by objective functional outcome measures. Clinical, pathologic, and molecular risk stratification should be used to refine treatment regimens for children with ependymoma to reduce the risk of complications associated with therapy and increase the rate of disease control in the setting of combined modality or more intensive therapy. This review covers standards of care and current clinical trials for children with ependymoma, emphasizing the history and evolution of treatment regimens during the past 20 years and the clinical questions they hoped to address.
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Abstract
Though the treatment of pediatric cancers has come a long way, acute and chronic effects of cancer are still affecting the life of many children. These effects may be caused not only by the malignancy itself but also by the interventions used for the purpose of treatment. This article focuses primarily on the indirect effects of pediatric cancers and their treatment on the central and peripheral nervous system. Chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplantation cause an immune-compromised state and place the patient at risk of infection, the leading cause of mortality in pediatric cancer. The underlying cancer and the treatments also cause neurovascular changes that may lead to neurological sequelae immediately or many years in the future. Chemotherapy and radiation have both immediate and long-term neurotoxic effects on the central and peripheral nervous system. Cancers may also trigger an immune response that damages nervous system components, leading to altered mental status, seizures, abnormal movements, and even psychosis. Knowledge of these effects can help the practitioner be more vigilant for the signs and symptoms of potential neurological complications during the management of pediatric cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Weaver
- From the Section of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ayman Samkari
- Section of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
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Zou P, Conklin HM, Scoggins MA, Li Y, Li X, Jones MM, Palmer SL, Gajjar A, Ogg RJ. Functional MRI in medulloblastoma survivors supports prophylactic reading intervention during tumor treatment. Brain Imaging Behav 2016; 10:258-71. [PMID: 25967954 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-015-9390-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Development of reading skills is vulnerable to disruption in children treated for brain tumors. Interventions, remedial and prophylactic, are needed to mitigate reading and other learning difficulties faced by survivors. A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was conducted to investigate long-term effects of a prophylactic reading intervention administered during radiation therapy in children treated for medulloblastoma. The fMRI study included 19 reading-intervention (age 11.7 ± 0.6 years) and 21 standard-of-care (age 12.1 ± 0.6 years) medulloblastoma survivors, and 21 typically developing children (age 12.3 ± 0.6 years). The survivors were 2.5 [1.2, 5.4] years after completion of tumor therapies and reading-intervention survivors were 2.9 [1.6, 5.9] years after intervention. Five fMRI tasks (Rapid Automatized Naming, Continuous Performance Test using faces and letters, orthographic and phonological processing of letter pairs, implicit word reading, and story reading) were used to probe reading-related neural activation. Woodcock-Johnson Reading Fluency, Word Attack, and Sound Awareness subtests were used to evaluate reading abilities. At the time of fMRI, Sound Awareness scores were significantly higher in the reading-intervention group than in the standard-of-care group (p = 0.046). Brain activation during the fMRI tasks was detected in left inferior frontal, temporal, ventral occipitotemporal, and subcortical regions, and differed among the groups (p < 0.05, FWE). The pattern of group activation differences, across brain areas and tasks, was a normative trend in the reading-intervention group. Standardized reading scores and patterns of brain activation provide evidence of long-term effects of prophylactic reading intervention in children treated for medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zou
- Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Heather M Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Matthew A Scoggins
- Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Xingyu Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Melissa M Jones
- Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Shawna L Palmer
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Amar Gajjar
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Robert J Ogg
- Department of Radiological Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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Ris MD, Grosch M, Fletcher JM, Metah P, Kahalley LS. Measurement of neurodevelopmental changes in children treated with radiation for brain tumors: what is a true 'baseline?'. Clin Neuropsychol 2016; 31:307-328. [PMID: 27705087 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2016.1216070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the various ways in which baseline neuropsychological functioning is measured in the extant literature on pediatric brain tumors, describe the pros and cons of each approach, and increase the awareness of researchers as to the implications of each. METHOD We reviewed the literature from 1993 to 2013, and classified studies by baseline approach and explicitness of selection of approach. RESULTS There are multiple approaches to operationalizing baseline levels of ability and to assess change from baseline. Each approach has strengths and weaknesses, and selection may depend on the question under investigation. Approaches to baseline estimation varied widely with a trend over time toward reliance on statistical modeling. Researchers were often insufficiently explicit about the reasons for adopting a particular approach. The common use of standardized scores requires caution as they obscure critical inferential limitations about change and magnitude of change. Some viable approaches were infrequently used, such as actuarial prediction formulas. Multiple simultaneous methods akin to theory testing and formal methods of construct validation could enhance scientific yield since all approaches are fallible. CONCLUSIONS Estimating baseline neuropsychological functioning is very challenging, particularly when it concerns children in the preschool years. Nevertheless, it is a crucial methodological decision with important implications for the interpretation of research findings that needs to be dealt with explicitly.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Douglas Ris
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Maria Grosch
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Jack M Fletcher
- b Department of Psychology , University of Houston , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Paras Metah
- b Department of Psychology , University of Houston , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Lisa S Kahalley
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital , Houston , TX , USA
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Theeler BJ, Gilbert MR. Investigating therapies in ependymoma. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2016.1191347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brett J. Theeler
- Department of Neurology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Neurology and John P. Murtha Cancer Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark R. Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Abstract
Ependymomas are a heterogeneous group of neuroepithelial tumors of children and adults. In pediatric cases, the standard of care has long consisted of neurosurgical resection to the greatest extent acceptable followed by adjuvant involved field irradiation. Complete macroscopic surgical resection has remained the only consistent clinical variable known to improve survival. Adjuvant chemotherapy has yet to predictably affect outcome, possibly due to the molecular heterogeneity of histologically similar tumors. The administration of chemotherapy subsequently remains limited to clinical trials. However, recent comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic interrogations of ependymomas have uncovered unique molecular characteristics and subtypes that correlated with clinical features such as age, neuroanatomical location, and prognosis. These findings represent a potential paradigm shift and provide a biologic rationale for targeted therapeutic strategies and risk-adapted administration of conventional treatment modalities. In this review, we focus on intracranial WHO grade II and III ependymoma of children and discuss conventional management strategies, followed by recent biologic findings and novel therapeutics currently under investigation.
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40
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Netson KL, Ashford JM, Skinner T, Carty L, Wu S, Merchant TE, Conklin HM. Executive dysfunction is associated with poorer health-related quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors. J Neurooncol 2016; 128:313-21. [PMID: 27033060 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-016-2113-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Children with a brain tumor (BT) are at risk for a number of physical and cognitive problems that may lower their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Executive functioning (EF) and intellectual ability are hypothesized to associate with HRQoL and deficits in these areas may be amenable to interventions. This study aimed to investigate intellectual function, EF, and HRQoL following conformal radiation therapy (CRT) for pediatric BT. Forty-five BT survivors (age 12.68 ± 2.56) treated with CRT participated. Thirty-six siblings of BT patients (age 12.36 ± 2.13) and 33 survivors of non-CNS solid tumors (ST; age 12.18 ± 2.88) were comparison groups. IQ estimate (Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence; WASI), EF ratings (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; BRIEF), and HRQoL ratings (KINDL-R) were obtained. BT survivors reported lower overall HRQoL than ST survivors (p = .012). Parents reported lower overall HRQoL for BT survivors than siblings (p = .014). Parent-report on individual areas of HRQoL was higher than self-report for most subscales. IQ and HRQoL ratings were not related (Parent r = .17, p = .27; Child r = .11, p = .49). EF ratings correlated with Parent (r = -.15 to -.73) but not Child HRQoL ratings. Children with BT experienced poorer HRQoL than controls. Children's HRQoL was consistently rated higher by parent- than self-report across all domains. HRQoL was associated with EF, but not with IQ. These findings identify interventions targeting EF (e.g., cognitive rehabilitation, medication) as a possible avenue for improving HRQoL in childhood BT survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli L Netson
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA
| | - Jason M Ashford
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Shengjie Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Heather M Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
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41
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Pencil beam scanning proton therapy for pediatric intracranial ependymoma. J Neurooncol 2016; 128:137-145. [DOI: 10.1007/s11060-016-2090-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Koustenis E, Hernáiz Driever P, de Sonneville L, Rueckriegel SM. Executive function deficits in pediatric cerebellar tumor survivors. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2016; 20:25-37. [PMID: 26631949 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Besides motor function the cerebellum subserves frontal lobe functions. Thus, we investigated executive functions in pediatric posterior fossa tumor survivors. METHODS We tested information processing, aspects of attention, planning and intelligence in 42 pediatric posterior fossa tumor survivors (mean age 14.63 yrs, SD 5.03). Seventeen low-grade tumor patients (LGCT) were treated with surgery only and 25 high-grade tumors patients (HGCT) received postsurgical adjuvant treatment. We evaluated simple reaction time, executive functioning, i.e. visuospatial memory, inhibition, and mental flexibility using the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks program, whereas forward thinking was assessed with the Tower of London-test. Intelligence was determined using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Ataxia was assessed with the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale. RESULTS About one third of each patient group showed forward thinking scores below one standard deviation of the norm. Impaired forward thinking correlated significantly with degree of ataxia (r = -0.39, p = 0.03) but not with fluid intelligence. Both patient groups exhibited executive function deficits in accuracy and reaction speed in more difficult tasks involving information speed and attention flexibility. Still, HGCT patients were significantly slower and committed more errors. Working memory was inferior in HGCT patients. CONCLUSION Pediatric cerebellar tumor survivors with different disease and treatment related brain damage exhibit similar patterns of impairment in executive functioning, concerning forward thinking, inhibition and mental flexibility. The deficits are larger in high-grade tumor patients. The pattern of function loss seen in both groups is most probably due to comparable lesions to cerebro-cerebellar circuits that are known to modulate critical executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Koustenis
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Pablo Hernáiz Driever
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
| | - Leo de Sonneville
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan M Rueckriegel
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany
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Gilboa Y, Kerrouche B, Longaud-Vales A, Kieffer V, Tiberghien A, Aligon D, Mariller A, Mintegui A, Canizares C, Abada G, Paule Chevignard M. Describing the attention profile of children and adolescents with acquired brain injury using the Virtual Classroom. Brain Inj 2015; 29:1691-700. [PMID: 26399584 DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2015.1075148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of the study were: (1) to describe the attention deficits profile of children with significant acquired brain injury (ABI) in comparison to matched controls, using the virtual classroom (VC); (2) to assess the utility of the VC in detecting attention deficits in children with ABI, as compared to classical neuropsychological tests and questionnaire-based assessment of attention; and (3) to determine how performance in the VC is affected by demographic and injury severity variables. METHODS Forty-one children with ABI and 35 age- and gender-matched controls, aged 8-16, were assessed with the VC. The results of the VC were compared to sub-tests of the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch), the Conners' Parent Rating Scales-Revised: Short (CPRS-R:S) questionnaire and analysed according to demographic and injury severity variables. RESULTS Significant differences were found between the groups regarding the number of targets correctly identified in the VC. Significant inter-correlations were obtained between the VC variables. Significant correlations were found between the VC variables, the sub-tests of TEA-Ch and the CPRS-R:S and the demographic characteristics of the sample. CONCLUSION The VC appears to be a sensitive and ecologically valid assessment tool for use in the diagnosis of attention deficits among children with ABI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafit Gilboa
- a School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem , Israel .,b Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale (LIB) , Paris , France
| | - Bernadette Kerrouche
- c Outreach Team for Children and Adolescents with Acquired Brain Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals , Saint Maurice , France
| | | | - Virginie Kieffer
- d Pediatric Oncology Department , Gustave Roussy , Villejuif , France , and
| | - Anne Tiberghien
- c Outreach Team for Children and Adolescents with Acquired Brain Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals , Saint Maurice , France
| | - Delphine Aligon
- c Outreach Team for Children and Adolescents with Acquired Brain Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals , Saint Maurice , France
| | - Aude Mariller
- e Rehabilitation Department for Children with Acquired Neurological Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals , Saint Maurice , France
| | - Amaia Mintegui
- e Rehabilitation Department for Children with Acquired Neurological Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals , Saint Maurice , France
| | - Céline Canizares
- c Outreach Team for Children and Adolescents with Acquired Brain Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals , Saint Maurice , France
| | - Geneviève Abada
- e Rehabilitation Department for Children with Acquired Neurological Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals , Saint Maurice , France
| | - Mathilde Paule Chevignard
- b Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris, CNRS, INSERM, Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale (LIB) , Paris , France .,e Rehabilitation Department for Children with Acquired Neurological Injury, Saint Maurice Hospitals , Saint Maurice , France
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44
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Mizumoto M, Oshiro Y, Takizawa D, Fukushima T, Fukushima H, Yamamoto T, Muroi A, Okumura T, Tsuboi K, Sakurai H. Proton beam therapy for pediatric ependymoma. Pediatr Int 2015; 57:567-71. [PMID: 25754294 DOI: 10.1111/ped.12624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of proton beam therapy for pediatric patients with ependymoma. METHODS Proton beam therapy was conducted for six patients (three boys and three girls; age, 2-6 years; median, 5 years) with ependymoma. The tumors were WHO grades 2 and 3 in two and four patients, respectively. All patients underwent surgery (subtotal and gross total resection in three patients each) and proton beam therapy at doses of 50.4-61.2 GyE (median, 56.7 GyE). The mean doses to normal brain tissue in proton beam therapy and photon radiotherapy were simulated using the same treatment planning computed tomography images. RESULTS All patients completed the planned irradiation. The follow-up period was 13-44 months (median, 24.5 months) from completion of proton beam therapy and all patients were alive at the end of this period. Local recurrence in the treatment field occurred in one patient at 4 months after proton beam therapy at 50.4 GyE. Alopecia and mild dermatitis occurred in all patients, but there was no severe toxicity. One patient had a once-off seizure after proton beam therapy and alopecia persisted in another patient for 31 months, but no patients had difficulty with daily life. The simulation showed that proton beam therapy reduces the dose to normal brain tissue by approximately half compared with photon radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Proton beam therapy for pediatric ependymoma is safe, does not have specific toxicities, and can reduce irradiation of normal brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Mizumoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoshiko Oshiro
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Daichi Takizawa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Ai Muroi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Okumura
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Koji Tsuboi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Sakurai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan
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The role of resection alone in select children with intracranial ependymoma: the Canadian Pediatric Brain Tumour Consortium experience. Childs Nerv Syst 2015; 31:57-65. [PMID: 25391979 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-014-2575-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gross total resection (GTR) of intracranial ependymoma is an accepted goal. More controversial is radiotherapy deferral. This study reports on children treated with gross total resection who did not receive upfront adjuvant radiotherapy. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of children with intracranial ependymoma in 12 Canadian centers. Patients who had GTR of their tumor and no upfront radiotherapy were identified. Immunostaining was performed for Ki-67, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and EZH2 on archived tissue. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed and compared with those who had GTR followed by radiation. RESULTS Twenty-six children were identified treated with GTR alone at diagnosis; 12 posterior fossa ependymoma (PFE) WHO grade II, and 14 supratentorial ependymoma (STE). Progression-free survival (PFS) in ependymoma treated with GTR alone at diagnosis was inferior in those with high Ki-67 or positive EZH2 immunostaining. Survival was inferior for patients less than 2 years old at diagnosis (p = 0.002). Survival was comparable to PFE WHO grade II and STE who had GTR followed by radiation (p = 0.62). Five-year PFS and overall survival (OS) of those treated with GTR alone were 60 and 70% respectively for PFE and 45 and 70% respectively for STE (p = 0.2; 0.55). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that there is a subset of children with certain biologic features who, in the setting of a prospective clinical trial, might be candidates for observation following GTR. Good risk factors for this approach include age of 2 years or older, low Ki-67, and negative EZH2. If relapse occurs, it may be confined to the primary site, allowing for possible salvage with GTR followed by XRT.
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Ashford JM, Netson KL, Clark KN, Merchant TE, Santana VM, Wu S, Conklin HM. Adaptive functioning of childhood brain tumor survivors following conformal radiation therapy. J Neurooncol 2014; 118:193-9. [PMID: 24658934 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-014-1420-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Adaptive functioning is not often examined in childhood brain tumor (BT) survivors, with the few existing investigations relying on examiner interviews. Parent questionnaires may provide similar information with decreased burden. The purpose of this study was: (1) to examine adaptive behaviors in BT survivors relative to healthy peer and cancer survivor groups, and (2) to explore the validity of a parent questionnaire in relation to an examiner administered interview. Participants (age 13.11 ± 2.98 years) were BT survivors treated with conformal radiation therapy (n = 50), healthy siblings of BT survivors (n = 39) and solid tumor (ST) survivors who did not receive CNS-directed therapy (n = 40). Parents completed the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System–2nd Edition (ABAS-II). For a subset of the BT cohort (n = 32), examiners interviewed the parents using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) within 12 months. Groups differed significantly on each of the ABAS-II indices and the general adaptive composite, with the BT group scoring lower than the sibling and ST groups across indices. Executive functioning, but not IQ, was associated with adaptive skills; no clear pattern of clinical and demographic predictors was established. VABS scores were correlated with ABAS-II scores on nearly all indices. BT survivors showed significantly lower adaptive functioning when compared to healthy and cancer controls. The ABAS-II proved sensitive to these behavioral limitations and was consistent with scores on the VABS. The use of a parent questionnaire to assess adaptive functioning enhances survivorship investigations by increasing flexibility of assessment and decreasing examiner burden.
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Merchant TE, Sharma S, Xiong X, Wu S, Conklin H. Effect of cerebellum radiation dosimetry on cognitive outcomes in children with infratentorial ependymoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014; 90:547-53. [PMID: 25149660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2014.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Revised: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cognitive decline is a recognized effect of radiation therapy (RT) in children treated for brain tumors. The importance of the cerebellum and its contribution to cognition have been recognized; however, the effect of RT on cerebellum-linked neurocognitive deficits has yet to be explored. METHODS AND MATERIALS Seventy-six children (39 males) at a median 3.3 years of age (range, 1-17 years old) were irradiated for infratentorial ependymoma from 1997 to 2008. The total prescribed dose was 54 to 59.4 Gy administered to the postoperative tumor bed with 5- or 10-mm clinical target volume margin. Age-appropriate cognitive and academic testing was performed prior to the start of RT and was then repeated at 6 months and annually throughout 5 years. The anterior and posterior cerebellum and other normal brain volumes were contoured on postcontrast, T1-weighted postoperative magnetic resonance images registered to treatment planning computed tomography images. Mean doses were calculated and used with time after RT and other clinical covariates to model their effect on neurocognitive test scores. RESULTS Considering only the statistically significant rates in longitudinal changes for test scores and models that included mean dose, there was a correlation between mean infratentorial dose and intelligence quotient (IQ; -0.190 patients/Gy/year; P=.001), math (-0.164 patients/Gy/year; P=.010), reading (-0.137 patients/Gy/year; P=.011), and spelling scores (-0.147 patients/Gy/year; P=.012), where Gy was measured as the difference between the mean dose received by an individual patient and the mean dose received by the patient group. There was a correlation between mean anterior cerebellum dose and IQ scores (-0.116 patients/Gy/year; P=.042) and mean posterior cerebellum dose and IQ (-0.150 patients/Gy/year; P=.002), math (-0.120 patients/Gy/year; P=.023), reading (-0.111 patients/Gy/year; P=.012), and spelling (-0.117 patients/Gy/year; P=.015) scores. CONCLUSIONS Sparing portions of the cerebellum should be considered in RT planning for children with infratentorial ependymoma because of the potential impact of radiation dose on cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Merchant
- Division of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
| | - Shelly Sharma
- Division of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Xiaoping Xiong
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Shengjie Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Heather Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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48
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Winter AL, Conklin HM, Tyc VL, Stancel H, Hinds PS, Hudson MM, Kahalley LS. Executive function late effects in survivors of pediatric brain tumors and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2014; 36:818-30. [PMID: 25126830 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2014.943695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivors of pediatric brain tumors (BT) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for neurocognitive late effects related to executive function. PROCEDURE Survivors of BT (48) and ALL (50) completed neurocognitive assessment. Executive function was compared to estimated IQ and population norms by diagnostic group. RESULTS Both BT and ALL demonstrated relative executive function weaknesses. As a group, BT survivors demonstrated weaker executive functioning than expected for age. Those BT survivors with deficits exhibited a profile suggestive of global executive dysfunction, while affected ALL survivors tended to demonstrate specific rapid naming deficits. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that pediatric BT and ALL survivors may exhibit different profiles of executive function late effects, which may necessitate distinct intervention plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Winter
- a Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
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49
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Jacola LM, Ashford JM, Reddick WE, Glass JO, Ogg RJ, Merchant TM, Conklin HM. The relationship between working memory and cerebral white matter volume in survivors of childhood brain tumors treated with conformal radiation therapy. J Neurooncol 2014; 119:197-205. [PMID: 24847967 PMCID: PMC4133306 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-014-1476-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Survivors of childhood brain tumors (BTs) treated with CNS-directed therapy show changes in cerebral white matter that are related to neurocognitive late effects. We examined the association between white matter volume and working memory ability in survivors treated with conformal radiation therapy (CRT). Fifty survivors (25 males, age at assessment = 13.14 ± 2.88, age at CRT = 7.41 ± 3.41 years) completed Digit Span from the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children, 4th Edition and experimental Self-Ordered Search (SOS) tasks as measures of working memory. Caregiver ratings were obtained using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. MRI exams were acquired on a 1.5 T scanner. Volumes of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) were quantified using a well-validated automated segmentation and classification program. Correlational analyses demonstrated that NAWM volumes were significantly larger in males and participants with tumors located in the infratentorial space. Correlations between NAWM volume and Digit Span Backward were distributed across anterior and posterior regions, with evidence for greater right hemisphere involvement (r = .32-.34, p ≤ .05). Correlations between NAWM volume with Digit Span Backward (r = .44-.52; p ≤ .05) and NAWM volume with SOS-Object Total (r = .45-.52, p ≤ .05) were of greater magnitude in females. No relationship was found between NAWM volume and caregiver report. Working memory performance in survivors of pediatric BTs treated with CRT are related to regionally specific NAWM volume. Developmental differences in cerebral myelination may explain findings of greater risk for neurocognitive late effects in female survivors. Future studies are needed to better isolate vulnerable white matter pathways, thus facilitating the development of neuroprotective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Jacola
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
| | | | - Wilburn E. Reddick
- Division of Translational Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
| | - John O. Glass
- Division of Translational Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
| | - Robert J. Ogg
- Division of Translational Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Castellino SM, Ullrich NJ, Whelen MJ, Lange BJ. Developing interventions for cancer-related cognitive dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors. J Natl Cancer Inst 2014; 106:dju186. [PMID: 25080574 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/dju186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Survivors of childhood cancer frequently experience cancer-related cognitive dysfunction, commonly months to years after treatment for pediatric brain tumors, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), or tumors involving the head and neck. Risk factors for cancer-related cognitive dysfunction include young age at diagnosis, treatment with cranial irradiation, use of parenteral or intrathecal methotrexate, female sex, and pre-existing comorbidities. Limiting use and reducing doses and volume of cranial irradiation while intensifying chemotherapy have improved survival and reduced the severity of cognitive dysfunction, especially in leukemia. Nonetheless, problems in core functional domains of attention, processing speed, working memory and visual-motor integration continue to compromise quality of life and performance. We review the epidemiology, pathophysiology and assessment of cancer-related cognitive dysfunction, the impact of treatment changes for prevention, and the broad strategies for educational and pharmacological interventions to remediate established cognitive dysfunction following childhood cancer. The increased years of life saved after childhood cancer warrants continued study toward the prevention and remediation of cancer-related cognitive dysfunction, using uniform assessments anchored in functional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon M Castellino
- Department of Pediatrics, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (SMC); Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (SMC, MJW); Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (NJU); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (BJL).
| | - Nicole J Ullrich
- Department of Pediatrics, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (SMC); Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (SMC, MJW); Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (NJU); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (BJL)
| | - Megan J Whelen
- Department of Pediatrics, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (SMC); Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (SMC, MJW); Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (NJU); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (BJL)
| | - Beverly J Lange
- Department of Pediatrics, Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (SMC); Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (SMC, MJW); Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (NJU); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (BJL)
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