Neuropsychological Function in Cancer Patients

Heather Adams, Ph.D./Tuesday, October 28^th

A) Types of Cancer Patients with Possible “Neuropsych” Issues

1. Brain Tumor

2. Leukemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia – A.L.L.)

3. Other Cancers that metastasize (spread) to the brain

B) Treatments

1. Surgery (Brain Tumors)

2. Radiation Therapy

3. Intrathecal Chemotherapy

** treatments 1 – 3 are directed at the central nervous system (CNS)

4. Systemic Chemotherapy

C) Brain Tumor (B.T.)

1. Location, Size, & Type

2. Mass Effect

3. Invasive vs. Non-invasive

4. Speed of Growth

D) Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in Childhood

1. Description/Definition

2. Epidemiology

3. Treatment – past and present

4. Risk Factors for Neuropsychological Effects of Treatment for ALL

E) Neuropsychological & Behavioral Effects of Treatment for ALL or B.T.

1. Acute Effects – brief description

2. Cognitive Late Effects

a) General Definition

b) General Areas of Deficit

c) Neuropsychological tests with impaired scores

d) Nonverbal < Verbal

e) Areas of relative sparing

f) Adult Survivors of Childhood ALL/BT & Late Effects

g) Quality of Life issues!

F) Neuropathology of CNS Treatment for ALL/BT

1. General Findings

2. Neuropathology & Neuropsychology relationship

G) Intervention for Childhood Survivors of ALL/BT

1. Behavioral/Cognitive

2. Medical

H) Case Presentations (time permitting!)