REVIEW ARTICLE


Treatment and Long-Term Sequelae in Childhood Brain Tumors



Giorgio Attina1, Anna Ariano1, Palma Maurizi1, Silvia Triarico1, Michele Antonio Capozza1, Paola Coccia2, Daniela Rizzo3, Stefano Mastrangelo1, Antonio Ruggiero1, *
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1 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A .Gemelli IRCCS, Universita’ Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
2 Pediatric Hemato-oncology Unit, Ospedale Salesi, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti Ancona, Ancona, Italy
3 Pediatric Oncology Unit, Ospedale Vito Fazzi, Lecce, Italy


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© 2020 Attina et al.

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* Address correspondence to this author at the Paediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A .Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; Tel: +39 06 30155165; Fax: +39 06 3052751; E-mail: antonio.ruggiero@unicatt.it


Abstract

In children treated for brain tumors, important deficits in cognitive development have been described. The reduction of Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is correlated with multiple conditions such as tumor location, obstructive hydrocephalus, surgical intervention, and above all, the use of radiotherapy, especially in young children. Demyelinization represents the most striking microscopic alteration following radiation: cerebral white matter’s loss and failure to white matter development could partly account for changes in IQ score.

Recently, combined chemo-radiotherapeutic approaches and the improvement of radiotherapy techniques have enabled the reduction of neurocognitive symptoms and improved the standard of life of childhood brain tumor survivors.

Keywords: Children, Brain tumors, Neurocognitive deficit, Radiotherapy, IQ score, Young childrens, Radiation.