Behavior, social competence and executive functioning in children and teenagers having survived posterior fossa tumors
posterior fossa tumors; neuropsychology; pedriatric oncology;
behavior; socialskills
Epidemiological data from the National Cancer Institute (INCA, 2016) estimate that
paedriatic cancer correspond up to 1 to 3% of the total cancer incidence in Brazil,
accounting up for 12.600 new cases annually. Despite improvement in diagnostic
measures and elevated survival rates in recent years, treatment for brain tumors is still
associated to elevated neurotoxicity and significantly neuropsychogical impairments,
including academic, cognitive and behavioural changes. In paediatric population,
nervous system tumors mostly develops (60%) in the posterior fossa. It is well
documented that children who survive these tumors are challenged with significative
neurocognitive damage. Previous studies highlight intelectual, attentional, process
speed, visual memory and executive functiong impairments after posterior fossa tumor
treatment. Consequently, these children can exhibit poor academic performance, low
vocacional success and impaired behavior. Two hypothesis, non excluding, are
highlighted as alternatives for comprehesion for the emergency of these impairments.
The first one suggests that diffuse damage to the neuronal white matter due to the
radiotherapy is one of the possible causes to the observed impairments, while the
second one suggests that cerebellar damage is the responsable for the cognitive,
behavioural and affective impairments. Examining how disease and it´s treatment
impact the daily lives of survivors highlights how academic and social impairments
manifests in the functional capacity of these children, their learning potencial and
vocational success and, mostly, their quality of life. This study aims to characterize the
behavioral profile and social competence of children survivors of posterior fossa
tumors. Addictionally, this study aims to correlate behavior problems and social
problems - as evaluated by their parents and caregivers - and executive functioning of
this clinic population. 18 children survivors of posterior fossa tumors have participated
in this study. It was found above average prevalence of psychiatric syndroms and
marked behavior problems and altered social competence in both clinical groups.
Estatistical significant correlations between behavioural measures and executive
functioning were found.