Qualityoflife, mood and executive functioning after childhood craniopharyngioma treated with surgery and proton beam therapy

Primary objective: Childhood craniopharyngioma, a benign tumour with a good survival rate, is associated with important neurocognitive and psychological morbidity, reducing qualityoflife (QoL). Method: This retrospective study analysed QoL, mood disorders, everyday executive functioning and disease's impact on family life in 29 patients (mean age at diagnosis 7 years 10 months (SD=4.1); mean followup period 6 years 2 months (SD=4.5)) treated for childhood craniopharyngioma by surgery combined with radiotherapy using proton beam. Assessment included a semistructured interview and standardized scales evaluating selfreport of QoL (Kidscreen 52) and depression (MDIC) and proxyreports of QoL (Kidscreen 52), executive functioning (BRIEF) and disease's impact (Hoare and Russel Questionnaire). Results: Twentythree families answered the questionnaires completely. Overall QoL selfreport was within the normal range. QoL proxyreport was lower than selfreport. Eleven patients reported depression; 2438% had dysexecutive symptoms. A majority of families felt 'very concerned' by the disease. Depression and low parental educational level were associated with lower QoL and higher levels of executive dysfunction. Conclusion: Given the high morbidity of childhood craniopharyngioma, screening for psychosocial outcome, cognitive functioning, including executive functions, mood and QoL should be systematic and specific interventions should be developed and implemented.