[Changes of neurocognitive functions as result of cancer treatment in children and adolescents].

BACKGROUND: The monitoring of the late effects of childhood cancer treatments was established approximately in the 1970s. With an increasing number of children cancer survivors the identification of the short-term or late effects becomes more detailed. The psychosocial and cognitive problems are of the most frequent sequelae of the cancer treatment and their prevalence is nearly 20% in survivors of childhood cancer. These problems can have an adverse impact on further professional career or private life in the childhood cancer survivors. The most threatened group of patients are children treated for brain tumors and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

DESIGN: The object of this paper is to review the present information in the area of the neuropsychological sequelae in the childhood cancer survivors.

CONCLUSIONS: Identification of the specific cognitive problems in childhood cancer survivors can have the profound impact on improvement of the support delivered to the children and adolescents by their families, in the school and further career. Tailored interventions can have the positive impact on the quality of life of this subgroup of children. Multidisciplinary approach including routine psychological screening is necessary for addressed follow-up care concerning this vulnerable at-risk population.