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Neuropediatrics 1996; 27(3): 124-129
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-973762
Original Articles

© Hippokrates Verlag GmbH Stuttgart

Neuropsychologic Late Effects in Children with Malignant Brain Tumors Treated with Surgery, Radiotherapy and "8 in 1" Chemotherapy

I. Ilveskoski1 , H. Pihko1 , T. Wiklund2 , S. Lamminranta1 , M. Perkkiö3 , A. Mäkipernaa4 , T. T. Salmi5 , M. Lanning6 , U. M. Saarinen1
  • 1Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland,
  • 3Department of Pediatrics, University of Kuopio,
  • 4University of Tampere,
  • 5University of Turku,
  • 6University of Oulu, Finland,
  • 2Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, University of Helsinki, Finland
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
13 March 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Sixty-eight children with malignant brain tumors were treated with the "8 in 1" chemotherapy protocol from 1986 to 1993 in Finland. The overall 5-year survival rate was 43 %. Thirty-one children are still alive and tumor-free, and have been evaluated in the present study. Of these 31 children, 26 % had hemi- or tetraplegia, 13 % intractable seizures, and 30 % attend special schools. The mean full scale (FS) IQ was 85 (range 45-138), 24 % had an FSIQ value less than 70, and 36 % more than 90.

One-half of the survivors were placed in Bloom's group I or II, are able to lead an active life, and have only mild neurologic disabilities. In the other, neurologic late complications accumulated and these children were relegated to Bloom's group III or IV, with major disabilities such as hemiplegia, intractable epilepsy, or mental retardation.

The most important prognostic factors were severe perioperative complications, young age at diagnosis, and cranial irradiation.

Key words

Brain tumor - Children - "8 drugs in 1 day" - Late effects

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