Three‐ and four‐year cognitive outcome in children with noncortical brain tumors treated with whole‐brain radiotherapy

Abstract

Cognitive function and school achievement were studied prospectively over 3 to 4 years in 19 children treated for brain tumors with whole‐brain radiotherapy; 14 of 19 also received adjuvant chemotherapy. For the group as a whole, mean IQ fell from a baseline of 104 to 92 at follow‐up(p < 0.01). Age was inversely correlated with change in IQ over time (r = 0.71;p < 0.001). Children younger than 7 years at diagnosis had a mean IQ loss 27 points, while children over 7 years at diagnosis showed no significant decrease in IQ. Decline in IQ occured between baseline and year 2 of follow‐up; none could be documented between years 2 and 4. All children younger than 7 years at diagnosis were receiveing special education at follow‐up; 50% of the children over 7 years at diagnosis were receiving supplemental educational services.