Differential language trajectories following treatment for pediatric posterior fossa tumor: An investigation of four cases

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lewis, Fiona M.^{; *} | Murdoch, Bruce E.

Affiliations: Centre for Neurogenic Communication Disorders Research, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of QLD, Brisbane, Australia

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Fiona Lewis, Centre for Neurogenic Communication Disorders Research, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Tel.: +61 7 3346 7459; Fax: +61 7 3365 4754; E-mail: f.lewis@uq.edu.au

Abstract: Up to 85% of children treated for brain tumor survive beyond five years; hence optimizing quality of life in survivorship has become a priority. As multiple factors contribute to the heterogeneity of neurocognitive and language outcomes for individual children following treatment, a means of monitoring subsequent development is needed for the individual child, particularly when pre-morbid performance indices are not available. The current study investigated the use of developmental language trajectories as a means of monitoring language development subsequent to treatment for tumors located within the posterior fossa. The language skills of four children treated for posterior fossa tumor (PFT) were monitored over time (range of monitoring: 2–6 years) and the resultant trajectories were plotted against the trajectories based on tests' normative data as well as the trajectories of control children drawn from each child's local community. Each child's trajectory was considered in terms of age-appropriate developmental gains and discussed regarding the need for ongoing clinical monitoring of emerging, developing or established language skills. The study's findings highlight the heterogeneity of language outcomes following PFT. The utility of the application of developmental trajectories for the provision of individualized post-treatment support is discussed.

Keywords: Posterior fossa tumor, language trajectory, risk-adapted treatments

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-130834

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 165-183, 2013