Neurobehavioral functioning and quality of life in patients treated for cancer of the central nervous system.
There are relatively few studies that systematically address the cognitive and emotional functioning of brain tumor patients. Several conclusions, however, can be made from these studies. First, performance status measures and neurologic examinations do not adequately address cognitive functioning and quality of life in these patients. Second, global measures of cognitive functioning such as IQ scores can be relatively insensitive, and tests of specific cognitive functions need to be performed. There will soon be an increasing focus on neurobehavioral functioning and quality of life in new therapeutic trials as the simple reporting of survival becomes an increasingly inadequate outcome measure. In addition, the information gained from neurobehavioral and quality of life studies will be used to guide intervention techniques to improve the functioning of the survivors of brain tumors.
Meyers
C A
CA
Department of Neuro-oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Weitzner
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life