Follow-up of children with brain tumors

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Abstract
One hundred two patients were evaluated for late effects of brain tumor in childhood by a medical record review and follow‐up questionnaire. The patients had survived brain tumor for 5 to 47 years (median, 18 years). Among 30 patients who had received brain irradiation, 3 were successfully treated for second neoplasms that developed within the radiotherapy field 11,16, and 29, years later, respectively. Moderate or severe functional deficits were present in 24 patients (24%), more commonly among those treated before 2 years of age and among those with cerebral astrocytoma. The other 78 patients (76%) had mild or no gross deficits, and all but 1 of them were attending school or were employed. Twenty‐one patients in the series reported a total of 41 offspring, none of whom had cancer or mental retardation. Although markedly diverse performance levels were found among the 102 long‐term survivors of childhood brain tumors, the majority had an acceptable quality of life.

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