A preliminary investigation of cognitive late effects and the impact of disease versus treatment among pediatric brain tumor patients

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of treatment modality on the cognitive functioning of pediatric brain tumor survivors. Cognitive and behavioral testing batteries were administered to 20 brain tumor survivors (12 receiving surgical intervention only and 8 receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both). Findings revealed significant declines in intellectual functioning and moderately elevated levels of behavioral problems among patients in both treatment groups. These results have important clinical implications including the need for adjunctive treatments for all brain tumor survivors, regardless of treatment type.