Abstract
BACKGROUND
Currently an estimated 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States. Among pediatric patients, central nerve system tumors make up the highest percentage of solid tumor malignancies. Tumors of the peripheral nervous system also occur, most commonly in syndromes such as neurofibromatosis. Tumor growth and tumor treatments can result in developmental and functional impacts on patients. As survival rates continue to improve through the years with advancement of pediatric cancer treatment, an increasing focus is being placed on improving function and quality of life both during and after treatment. This presentation aims to introduce a variety of validated outcome measures that assess a patient’s strength and function, to discuss how they can be applied to patient monitoring, and to propose future studies in the pediatric neuro-oncology population.
METHODS
This presentation will review the currently validated and commonly used outcome measures used by physicians and therapists for assessing a patient’s strength, endurance, and function. Emphasis will be placed on how these tools can be used in assessing and monitoring patients with conditions such as chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, posterior fossa syndrome, and cachexia.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
This presentation aims to educate attendees on the current tools and outcome measures available to track a patient’s function and progress during and after treatment of neuro-oncologic conditions. It aims to highlight how these tools can be used in clinic for patient monitoring, and for future possible prospective research.