MONDAY, Nov. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Childhood brain cancer survivors
have ongoing cognitive problems and achieve lower levels of education,
employment and income than their siblings and survivors of other types of
cancer, a U.S. study has found.
The findings, published by the American Psychological Association in
the November issue of Neuropsychology, highlight the importance of
programs to support childhood brain cancer survivors' transition to
adulthood, said Leah Ellenberg, a clinical faculty member of the David
Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los
Angeles.
Ellenberg and colleagues analyzed responses to a questionnaire filled
out by 785 childhood brain cancer survivors 16 years after their
diagnosis. The same questionnaire was completed by 5,870 survivors of
cancers such as leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and bone tumors, and 379
siblings of childhood brain cancer survivors.
The study found that childhood brain cancer survivors reported
significantly greater neurocognitive dysfunction than their siblings or
other cancer survivors. All areas of cognitive function were affected in
childhood brain cancer survivors, including organization and emotional
regulation.
The most commonly reported problems were in memory and efficiency, such
as forgetting what they're doing in the middle of a task and being slower
than others at completing work. More than half of childhood brain cancer
survivors reported significant difficulty with at least one task
efficiency item, a rate three times higher than among their siblings.
The most serious neurocognitive problems were reported by childhood
brain cancer survivors with significant motor or sensory problems after
treatment, those who were treated with radiation to their brains, and
those who had tumors in the brain cortex rather than in lower brain
regions, the researchers found.
The neurocognitive issues reported by childhood brain cancer survivors
were associated with significantly poorer adaptation to adult life,
including lower achievement in education, full-time employment and income.
They were also less likely to be married, the study authors noted.
The study "underscores the need for continued attention to mitigating
the long-term negative effects of [childhood brain cancers] and their
treatment," the study authors wrote. They added that it's "important to
investigate the benefits of early and consistent use of compensatory
strategies, including assistive technology, transitional facilities to
promote independent living, and job placement and coaching, to enhance
functional outcomes."
More information
The Nemours Foundation has more about childhood brain tumors.
