Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 5)
Medical Student
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Pediatric populations have an increased susceptibility for brain tumors and suffer from neurocognitive impairment due to the neoplasm itself, and side effect of subsequent treatments. This causes many patients to experience a subpar quality of life (QoL), affecting academic endeavors, social interaction and mental well-being. Increasing our understanding of the long-term effects associated with brain tumors and the side effects from our current treatment methodology will help us formulate better treatment protocols and improve survivors’ QoL. This review aims to investigate different long-term neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors, as well as evaluate how various treatment modalities impact neurocognitive dysfunction. Identifying knowledge gaps in current knowledge will allow for the formulation of therapeutic protocols focused on survivors’ well-being.
Methods: Relevant articles were identified through the PubMed, PMC, Embase, and google scholar database. After removing duplicates, 14 studies were selected following PRISMA guidelines. All articles were published in the last five years between 2019 to 2024 with emphasis pertaining to long-term neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. The data was collected and summarized based on the key variables of focus.
Results: A total of 14 articles involving 1490 children were analyzed. Initial observations noted significant variations in the studies’ methodology and inclusion criteria, highlighting the need for more standardized protocols to optimize research in this area. Interpretation of the literature was made difficult by the heterogeneity in protocols used. Some results varied across treatment types: select studies found the children treated with proton radiotherapy showed better neurocognitive and academic results than those who received photon radiotherapy. An emphasis was placed on the effects of neurocognitive impairment on QoL with respect to attention, memory, executive function, and psychosocial variables. Cognitive abilities were demonstrated to be affected, irrespective of the treatment (whole brain irradiation compared to no treatment), especially in early-stage radiotherapy in younger children. Psychosocial impacts such as low self-esteem, depressive symptoms and increased suicidal ideation were demonstrated, and highlight the need for increasing post treatment assessment and support of a patient’s well-being.
Conclusion: Improvement of long-term outcomes was noted within therapeutic plans that avoided or delayed high-dose radiotherapy, marrow ablation chemotherapy or autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. These findings underscore the significance of exploring less intensive approaches to tumor treatment.
Recommended Citation
Sayers, Tori; Szobody, Megan W.; Mourao, Nina; Martin, Blake C.; Gullapalli, Sriya; Punch, Kory; Patel, Tirath; Yallapu, Murali; and Gadad, Bharathi Shrikanth, "Long-term Neurocognitive and Behavioral Outcomes in Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review" (2025). Research Symposium. 165.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/165
Included in
Medical Pathology Commons, Medical Pharmacology Commons, Neurology Commons, Neurosciences Commons, Oncology Commons, Pediatrics Commons
Long-term Neurocognitive and Behavioral Outcomes in Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review
Background: Pediatric populations have an increased susceptibility for brain tumors and suffer from neurocognitive impairment due to the neoplasm itself, and side effect of subsequent treatments. This causes many patients to experience a subpar quality of life (QoL), affecting academic endeavors, social interaction and mental well-being. Increasing our understanding of the long-term effects associated with brain tumors and the side effects from our current treatment methodology will help us formulate better treatment protocols and improve survivors’ QoL. This review aims to investigate different long-term neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors, as well as evaluate how various treatment modalities impact neurocognitive dysfunction. Identifying knowledge gaps in current knowledge will allow for the formulation of therapeutic protocols focused on survivors’ well-being.
Methods: Relevant articles were identified through the PubMed, PMC, Embase, and google scholar database. After removing duplicates, 14 studies were selected following PRISMA guidelines. All articles were published in the last five years between 2019 to 2024 with emphasis pertaining to long-term neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. The data was collected and summarized based on the key variables of focus.
Results: A total of 14 articles involving 1490 children were analyzed. Initial observations noted significant variations in the studies’ methodology and inclusion criteria, highlighting the need for more standardized protocols to optimize research in this area. Interpretation of the literature was made difficult by the heterogeneity in protocols used. Some results varied across treatment types: select studies found the children treated with proton radiotherapy showed better neurocognitive and academic results than those who received photon radiotherapy. An emphasis was placed on the effects of neurocognitive impairment on QoL with respect to attention, memory, executive function, and psychosocial variables. Cognitive abilities were demonstrated to be affected, irrespective of the treatment (whole brain irradiation compared to no treatment), especially in early-stage radiotherapy in younger children. Psychosocial impacts such as low self-esteem, depressive symptoms and increased suicidal ideation were demonstrated, and highlight the need for increasing post treatment assessment and support of a patient’s well-being.
Conclusion: Improvement of long-term outcomes was noted within therapeutic plans that avoided or delayed high-dose radiotherapy, marrow ablation chemotherapy or autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. These findings underscore the significance of exploring less intensive approaches to tumor treatment.
