Seaver E, Geyer R, Sulzbacher S, Warner M, Batzel L, Milstein J, Berger M
Children's Hospital and Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98105.
Pediatr Neurosurg. 1994;20(4):248-53. doi: 10.1159/000120798.
Improved prognosis for pediatric brain tumors has stimulated research into the quality of life of survivors. To assess cognitive function and psychosocial and family adjustment among this population, 18 long-term survivors of childhood medulloblastoma or posterior fossa ependymoma treated with surgical resection and craniospinal irradiation were interviewed and administered achievement tests and psychosocial questionnaires. A majority of parents reported significant difficulty caring for their child with a brain tumor, but no significant adverse effects upon the family. Academic achievement was significantly impaired in 12/18 subjects. Psychosocial adjustment was normal in 10/18 subjects. Although specific treatment variables (radiation dosage, chemotherapy, etc.) were not significantly related to these two outcome measures, impaired academic achievement was correlated with young age at diagnosis (p < 0.05) and impaired psychosocial adjustment was correlated with greater time since diagnosis (p < 0.05). Overall quality of life reported by these individuals appears to be acceptable but neuropsychological and psychosocial examination is clearly indicated as part of the follow-up program.
小儿脑肿瘤预后的改善激发了对幸存者生活质量的研究。为评估这一人群的认知功能、心理社会适应及家庭适应情况，对18名接受手术切除和颅脊髓放疗的儿童髓母细胞瘤或后颅窝室管膜瘤长期幸存者进行了访谈，并对他们进行了成绩测试和心理社会问卷调查。大多数家长报告称，照顾患有脑肿瘤的孩子存在很大困难，但对家庭没有显著的不利影响。18名受试者中有12名的学业成绩受到显著损害。18名受试者中有10名的心理社会适应正常。虽然具体的治疗变量（辐射剂量、化疗等）与这两个结果指标没有显著相关性，但学业成绩受损与诊断时年龄较小相关（p < 0.05），心理社会适应受损与诊断后时间较长相关（p < 0.05）。这些个体报告的总体生活质量似乎可以接受，但神经心理学和心理社会检查显然应作为随访计划的一部分。
