Neurocognition and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Brain Tumors

Kyle Noll; Amanda L King; Linda Dirven; Terri S Armstrong; Martin J B Taphoorn; Jeffrey S Wefel

doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2021.08.011

Neurocognition and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Brain Tumors

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2022 Feb;36(1):269-282. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2021.08.011. Epub 2021 Oct 25.

Authors

Kyle Noll¹, Amanda L King², Linda Dirven³, Terri S Armstrong⁴, Martin J B Taphoorn³, Jeffrey S Wefel⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 431, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
² Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9030 Old Georgetown Road, Building 82, Room 214, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
³ Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, PO Box 432, 2501 CK, The Hague, the Netherlands.
⁴ Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 82, Room 201, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
⁵ Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 431, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 431, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: jwefel@mdanderson.org.

PMID: 34711455
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2021.08.011

Abstract

Patients with brain tumors experience great symptom burden across various domains of functioning, with associated decreases in health-related quality of life and general well-being. Impaired neurocognitive functioning is among the primary concerns of these patients. Unfortunately, most patients will experience such impairment at some point in the disease. However, impaired neurocognitive functioning, symptom burden, and well-being vary according numerous patient-, tumor-, and treatment-related factors. Recent work has furthered our understanding of these contributors to patient functioning and health-related quality of life and also points to various potential targets for prevention and intervention strategies, though more efficacious treatments remain needed.

Keywords: Brain tumor; Neuro-oncology; Neurocognitive function; Neuropsychology; Quality of life.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain Neoplasms*
Humans
Quality of Life*