Cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma in childhood: Investigating the long-term impact of surgery on cognitive performance and functional outcome

ABSTRACT

Objective: Previous studies differ regarding the long-term effects of surgically removed pediatric cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas (CPA). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the long-term impact on neurocognitive and functional outcome and to analyze age as an influencing factor. Methods: Fourteen CPA patients were compared to the age norm and to a group of 14 high-achieving peers regarding cognitive functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and stress regulation. Mean follow-up time after diagnosis was 13.29 years (range: 3–21 years). Results: Patients showed satisfactory academic achievement and did not differ from the norm except for the bodily dimension of HRQoL. However, there were marked differences in specific neurocognitive functions between patients and high achievers. Age at diagnosis did not influence neurocognitive outcome. Conclusion: CPA patients treated with surgery only seem to have a favorable long-term outcome, yet, in comparison with high achievers specific cognitive impairments become apparent.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic achievement
• cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma
• cognitive performance
• long-term effect
• neuropsychology
• posterior fossa tumor

Funding

This study was part of the project ‘Cerebellar tumors of childhood – impact on cognition and functional connectivity’, which was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, FWF), project number: KLI 252.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Childhood Cancer Organisation – parent’s initiative (Kinder-Krebs-Hilfe für Wien, Niederösterreich, Burgenland – Elterninitiative) for their support, as well as the patients and controls for their participation. Furthermore, we would like to thank our psychological trainees for their assistance in the acquisition of parts of the data.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This study was part of the project ‘Cerebellar tumors of childhood – impact on cognition and functional connectivity’, which was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, FWF), project number: KLI 252.