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.


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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
INSERM U669, Univ Paris Sud, Univ Paris Descartes , Paris , France and.
N
N
Ait Khelifa-Gallois
F
F
Laroussinie
S
S
Puget
C
C
Sainte-Rose
G
G
Dellatolas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014705:Verbal Behavior
Cognitive difficulties; QoL; learning difficulties; long-term functional outcome; low-grade cerebellar astrocytoma; neurological sequelae