[Temporary changes of personality traits in children suffering from solid tumor--a prospective study].
BACKGROUND
The objective of this prospective study was to assess the changes of personality traits in children suffering from solid tumors.


METHODS
For evaluation we used a self-rating personality questionnaire for children between 9 and 14 years. 39 children with solid tumor compared to 67 healthy children of the general community were examined. For the assessment of children we choose three points in time: 1. Immediately after diagnosis, 2. at the end of therapy and 3. one to three years after.


RESULTS
Initially, the children had significantly more behavioral and emotional problems than children of the community. At the end of therapy the patients showed unambiguous changes in personality traits. In the patients population we noticed to have a higher tendency to behave aggressively and egocentric. Patients tended to isolate themselves socially compared to healthy children in the community. No significant differences between children suffering from cancer and the control group were found one to three years after finishing the therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The distress of cancer patients during therapy seems to influence the personality development. In the longer term, the prevalence of psychological problems experienced by children treated for cancer does not differ from that found in children of the general community.
Niemeyer
C
C
Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinderchirurgie, Germany. niec@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Kleber
B
B
Tröbs
R B
RB
Bennek
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012803:Sick Role