Long-term health-related quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors following surgery: a cross sectional study

  • Children that are survivors of intracranial tumors face a higher risk of neuro-psychological impairments affecting quality of life.
  • Twenty-three children (n=15 with pilocytic astrocytoma) with benign intracranial tumors underwent surgery and were followed over a 5-year period after surgery. Using 4 health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires, children with brain tumors struggled socially (P=0.03) and had limited cognitive ability (P=0.023) compared to those without. Loss of appetite (P=0.009), nausea and vomiting (P=0.031) were more common in children with brain tumors.
  • According to the authors, pediatric intracranial tumors is associated with poor quality of life. Early assessment is crucial for the clinical management of neurological problems in children.