Long-term functional outcome of patients with cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma surgically treated in childhood

Abstract

Purpose: A number of studies report neurological and cognitive deficits and behavioural disorders in children after surgical treatment for a benign cerebellar tumour. The present study explores functional outcome in adolescents and adults treated for a low-grade cerebellar astrocytoma in childhood.

Materials and methods: Participants were 18 adolescents and 46 adults treated for low-grade astrocytoma in childhood. Academic achievement, professional status and neurological, cognitive and behavioural disturbances were collected using self-completed and parental questionnaires for adolescents and phone interview for adults. For the adolescent group, a control group filled in the same questionnaires.

Results: Mean time lapse from surgery was 7.8 years for adolescents and 12.9 years for adults. Five adults (11%) had major sequelae related to post-operative complications, post-operative mutism and/or brain stem involvement. All the other participants presented close-to-normal academic achievement and normal autonomy, despite a high rate of reported cognitive difficulties and difficulties related to mild neurological sequelae (fine motor skills, balance).

Conclusion: The long-term functional outcome of low-grade cerebellar astrocytoma is generally favourable, in the absence of post-operative complications and brain stem involvement. No major impact of neurological deficits, cognitive problems and emotional disorders on academic achievement and independent functioning was observed.

• Cognitive difficulties
• learning difficulties
• long-term functional outcome
• low-grade cerebellar astrocytoma
• neurological sequelae
• QoL

Acknowledgements

We thank the participants for their contribution to this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article. N. Ait Khelifa-Gallois was supported by grants from ‘Canceropôle Ile de France’ and ‘Ligue contre le cancer’.