Cognitive, language, and school performance in children and young adults treated for low-grade astrocytoma in the posterior fossa in childhood

Abstract

Background: Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common brain tumour type in childhood located in the posterior fossa, and treated mainly with surgery. These tumours have low mortality, but knowledge concerning its long-term outcome is sparse. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether children treated for pilocytic astrocytoma in the posterior fossa had late complications affecting cognition, language and learning. Methods: This descriptive single-centre study includes eight children and 12 adults treated as children for pilocytic astrocytoma in the posterior fossa, with a mean follow-up time of 12.4 (range 5–19) years. Well-established tests of intelligence, executive, language and academic function were used. Results: Intelligence tests showed average results compared with norms. Five patients scored