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Predicting behavioral problems in craniopharyngioma survivors after conformal radiation therapy
Author(s) -
Dolson Eugenia P.,
Conklin Heather M.,
Li Chenghong,
Xiong Xiaoping,
Merchant Thomas E.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21947
Subject(s) - craniopharyngioma , cbcl , medicine , diabetes insipidus , child behavior checklist , radiation therapy , pediatrics , oncology , clinical psychology , surgery
Background Although radiation therapy is a primary treatment for craniopharyngioma, it can exacerbate existing problems related to the tumor and pre‐irradiation management. Survival is often marked by neurologic deficits, panhypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, cognitive deficiencies, and behavioral and social problems. Procedure The Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to evaluate behavioral and social problems during the first 5 years of follow‐up in 27 patients with craniopharyngioma treated with conformal radiation therapy. Results All group averages for the CBCL scales were within the age‐typical range at pre‐irradiation baseline. Extent of surgical resection was implicated in baseline differences for the internalizing, externalizing, behavior problem and social scores. Significant longitudinal changes were found in internalizing, externalizing, behavior problem and school scores that correlated with tumor and treatment‐related factors. Conclusions The most common variables implicated in post‐irradiation behavioral and social problems were CSF shunting, presence of an Ommaya reservoir, diabetes insipidus, and low pre‐irradiation growth hormone levels. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:860–864. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.