Department of Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
Pediatr Neurol. 2019 Dec;101:2-10. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.03.006. Epub 2019 Mar 21.
Currently, there are an estimated 400,000 long-term survivors of childhood cancer in the United States. Chronic leukoencephalopathy is a potential devastating late effect that can manifest as a range of neurological and neurocognitive sequelae. Survivors of the acute lymphocytic leukemia, central nervous system tumors, and stem cell transplant have frequently been exposed to cranial radiation, systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy, which places them at risk of developing chronic leukoencephalopathy. Defining leukoencephalopathy and its neuroimaging characteristics, the population of survivors at risk, its long-term consequences, and identifying prevention and intervention strategies can potentially mitigate the morbidity of these survivors. Better understanding of those at risk of leukoencephalopathy and its symptoms can lead to an improved quality of life for these cancer survivors.
目前，美国约有 40 万名儿童癌症的长期幸存者。慢性脑白质病是一种潜在的毁灭性迟发性效应，可表现为一系列神经和神经认知后遗症。急性淋巴细胞白血病、中枢神经系统肿瘤和干细胞移植的幸存者经常接受颅部放疗、全身和鞘内化疗，这使他们有罹患慢性脑白质病的风险。定义脑白质病及其神经影像学特征、处于危险中的幸存者人群、其长期后果，并确定预防和干预策略，可能会降低这些幸存者的发病率。更好地了解脑白质病的风险及其症状，可以提高这些癌症幸存者的生活质量。
