Effects of central-nervous-system irradiation on neuropsychologic functioning of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia

Journal Article · Thu Jul 17 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · New Engl. J. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM197507172930303· OSTI ID:7328072

Soni, S S; Marten, G W; Pitner, S E; Duenas, D A; Powazek, M

Two neuropsychologic studies were performed to determine the long-term effects of ''prophylactic'' cranial or craniospinal irradiation on the psychologic and neurologic functions of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. In a prospective study, 34 patients with leukemia who received either craniospinal irradiation or cranial irradiation combined with intrathecal methotrexate were evaluated by standardized neurologic and psychologic examinations before and after irradiation. Their performance was compared with that of 27 controls who received irradiation to parts of the body other than the cranium. In a retrospective study, 11 patients with leukemia receiving prophylactic craniospinal irradiation and 12 controls with the disease not receiving such therapy were followed from the second year after either irradiation or the initial hematologic remission. Eighteen months after irradiation in the prospective study and four years after irradiation in the retrospective study, no noteworthy neurologic or psychologic differences were found between subjects and controls.

• Research Organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis
• OSTI ID: 7328072
• Journal Information: New Engl. J. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: New Engl. J. Med.; (United States) Vol. 293:3; ISSN NEJMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHILDREN
DISEASES
HEMIC DISEASES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
LEUKEMIA
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOLOGY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
THERAPY
VERTEBRATES