Cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma in childhood: Investigating the long-term impact of surgery on cognitive performance and functional outcome.

Objective: Previous studies differ regarding the long-term effects of surgically removed pediatric cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas (CPA). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the long-term impact on neurocognitive and functional outcome and to analyze age as an influencing factor.

Methods: Fourteen CPA patients were compared to the age norm and to a group of 14 high-achieving peers regarding cognitive functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and stress regulation.