Surveillance imaging for high-grade childhood brain tumors: What to do 10 years after completion of treatment?

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018 Nov;65(11):e27311. doi: 10.1002/pbc.27311. Epub 2018 Jul 15.

Abstract

Brain tumors are the second most common childhood cancer. Treatment protocols for high-grade pediatric brain tumors recommend regular follow-up imaging for up to 10 years. We review maximal time to recurrence and minimal time to radiologically detectable long-term sequelae such as secondary malignancies, vascular complications, and white matter disease. No tumors recurred after the 10-year point, but radiological long-term sequelae grew more common as the treatment completion date receded. We do not recommend regular imaging more than 10 years after treatment has ended, unless there are clinical symptoms.

Keywords: brain tumor; childhood; high-grade; surveillance imaging.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / etiology
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cancer Survivors*
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / diagnosis
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / etiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Leukoencephalopathies / diagnosis
  • Leukoencephalopathies / etiology
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / etiology
  • Radiation Injuries / diagnosis
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents