Parent Perspectives on Information-seeking, Trustworthiness, and Decision-making in High-risk Neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: This study explores how parents of children with high-risk neuroblastoma incorporate information from multiple sources into treatment decision-making for their children as they evaluate the trustworthiness of the sources. METHODS: Following ethics board approval, parents of children with high-risk neuroblastoma were recruited through purposive sampling from a tertiary care pediatric oncology program in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Participants completed an in-depth, semistructured interview with a study member. The qualitative descriptive methodology was utilized to code interview transcripts and identify emergent themes. RESULTS: Nine parents of children with high-risk neuroblastoma during upfront therapy (n=4) or treatment of refractory disease (n=5) were included. Despite almost universal access of web-based information, parents acknowledged distrust in the reliability and consistency of these sources. Open communication between parents and physicians about sources of information outside the clinic and access to regulated, accurate information is highly valued. The impact on the quality of life and the costs, both financial and personal, of travel are key factors in decision-making. DISCUSSION: Health care providers shoulder an immense responsibility to augment and contextualize information available about high-risk neuroblastoma for parents to maximize benefit in decision-making. Health care providers should guide access to accurate, evidence-based resources that can be monitored and continuously updated.

Unrealistic parental expectations for cure in poor-prognosis childhood cancer.

BACKGROUND: Many parents of children with advanced cancer pursue curative goals when cure is no longer possible. To the authors' knowledge, no pediatric studies to date have prospectively evaluated prognosis communication or influences on decision making in poor-prognosis childhood cancer. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective cohort study at 9 pediatric cancer centers that enrolled 95 parents of children with recurrent or refractory, high-risk neuroblastoma (63% of those who were approached), a condition for which cure rarely is achieved. Parents were surveyed regarding the child's likelihood of cure; their primary goal of care; the child's symptoms, suffering, and quality of life; and regret concerning the last treatment decision. Medical records identified care and treatment decisions. RESULTS: Only 26% of parents recognized that the chance of cure was <25%. When asked to choose a single most important goal of care, approximately 72% chose cure, 10% chose longer life, and 18% chose quality of life. Parents were more likely to prioritize quality of life when they recognized the child's poor prognosis (P = .002). Approximately 41% of parents expressed regret about the most recent treatment decision. Parents were more likely to experience regret if the child had received higher intensity medical care (odds ratio [OR], 3.14; 95% CI, 1.31-7.51), experienced suffering with limited benefit from the most recent treatment (OR, 4.78; 95% CI, 1.16-19.72), or experienced suffering from symptoms (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.18-7.16). CONCLUSIONS: Parents of children with poor-prognosis cancer frequently make decisions based on unrealistic expectations. New strategies for effective prognosis communication are needed.

Clinically ascertained health outcomes, quality of life, and social attainment among adult survivors of neuroblastoma: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to characterize chronic disease, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), emotional distress, and social attainment among long-term survivors of neuroblastoma. METHODS: Chronic health conditions among 136 ≥10-year neuroblastoma survivors (median age, 31.9 years; range, 20.2-54.6 years) and 272 community controls (median age, 34.7 years; range, 18.3-59.6 years) were graded with a modified version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.03). HRQOL and emotional distress were assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18. Log-binomial regression and logistic regression were used to compare the prevalence of chronic conditions and the frequency of reduced HRQOL, distress, and social attainment between survivors and controls. The cumulative burden approach was used to estimate multimorbidity. RESULTS: By the age of 35 years, survivors had experienced, on average, 8.5 grade 1 to 5 conditions (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6-9.3), which was higher than the average for controls (3.3; 95% CI, 2.9-3.7). Compared with controls, survivors had a higher prevalence of any pulmonary (P = .003), auditory (P < .001), gastrointestinal (P < .001), neurological (P = .003), or renal condition (P < .001); were more likely to report poor physical HRQOL (P = .01) and symptoms of anxiety (P = .01) and somatization (P = .01); and were less likely to live independently (P = .01) or marry (P = .01). In analyses limited to survivors, those with 1 or more grade 3 to 5 conditions were more likely to report reduced general health (odds ratio [OR], 6.6; 95% CI, 1.6-26.9), greater bodily pain (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.0-17.0), and unemployment (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.2-8.5). CONCLUSIONS: Because of the high burden of chronic diseases and the associations of these morbidities with reduced HRQOL and social attainment, screening and interventions that provide opportunities to optimize health are important among neuroblastoma survivors.

Health-related quality of life of Brazilian children and adolescents with benign and malignant solid tumours: A prospective cohort study during the first year after hospital admission.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the impact of paediatric benign and malignant solid tumours and its treatment on the health-related quality of life of children and adolescents who were followed up in a Reference Center in Pediatric Oncology in Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: It is a prospective cohort study. Quality of life assessment was performed using the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales and PedsQL™ 3.0 Cancer Module protocols three times: during hospital admission (T1), 6 months after admission (T2) and 1 year after admission (T3). RESULTS: We evaluated 132 patients, 59 men and 73 women, aged 2-17 years. In PedsQL™4.0, the Emotional Functioning scale was the one with the worst scores, while the scores on the Social Functioning scale was the best. In PedsQL™ 3.0, the worst domains were Procedural Anxiety and Worry. Patients with malignant bone tumours had the worst health-related quality of life. The group who received only surgery had better results. Total scores of PedsQL™4.0 and PedsQL™ 3.0 improved between T1 and T3. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with malignant and benign neoplasms undergo changes in quality of life as a result of the disease and treatment, but an improvement has been observed over time.

Long-term psychological and educational outcomes for survivors of neuroblastoma: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma survivors may be at elevated risk for psychological impairments because of their young age at diagnosis and neurotoxic treatment, but this is not well described. METHODS: A total of 859 ≥5-year survivors of neuroblastoma younger than 18 years (diagnosed in 1970-1999), who had a median age at diagnosis of 0.8 years (range: 0.0-7.3 years) and a median follow-up of 13.3 years (range: 8.0-17.9 years), were compared with 872 siblings of childhood cancer survivors who were younger than 18 years with the parent-reported Behavior Problem Index (BPI) for psychological functioning. Age- and sex-adjusted multivariate log-binomial models were used to identify factors associated with impairment in BPI domains (scores worse than the sibling 10th percentile). The impact of psychological impairment on educational outcomes was examined among survivors. RESULTS: Compared with siblings, neuroblastoma survivors had an increased prevalence of impairment in the domains of anxiety/depression (19% vs 14%; P = .003), headstrong behavior (19% vs 13%; P < .001), attention deficits (21% vs 13%; P < .001), peer conflict/social withdrawal (26% vs 17%; P < .001), and antisocial behavior (16% vs 12%; P = .01). Common treatment exposures (vincristine, cisplatin, and retinoic acid) were not associated with impairment. Having 2 or more chronic health conditions predicted impairment in 4 domains (P < .001). Specifically, pulmonary disease predicted impairment in all 5 domains (P ≤ .004). Endocrine disease (P ≤ .004) and peripheral neuropathy (P ≤ .02) each predicted impairment in 3 domains. Psychological impairment was associated with special education service usage and educational attainment less than college. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroblastoma survivors are at elevated risk for psychological impairment, which is associated with special education service usage and lower adult educational attainment. Those with chronic health conditions may represent a high-risk group for targeted screening and intervention. Cancer 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Social adjustment in adolescent survivors of pediatric central nervous system tumors: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of social difficulties in adolescent survivors of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. METHODS: Six hundred sixty-five survivors of CNS tumors (53.8% male and 51.7% treated with cranial radiation therapy [CRT]), who had a current median age of 15.0 years (range, 2.0-17.0 years) and were a median of 12.1 years (range, 8.0-17.7 years) from their diagnosis, were compared with 1376 survivors of solid tumors (50.4% male), who had a median age of 15.0 years (range, 12.0-17.0 years) and were a median of 13.2 years (range, 8.3-17.9 years) from their diagnosis, and 726 siblings (52.2% male), who had a median age of 15.0 years (range, 12.0-17.0 years). Social adjustment was measured with parent-proxy responses to the Behavior Problems Index. Latent profile analysis defined social classes. Multinomial logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, and age at diagnosis, identified predictors of class membership. Path analyses tested mediating effects of physical limitations, sensory loss, and cognitive impairment on social outcomes. RESULTS: Caregivers reported that survivors of CNS tumors were more likely to have 0 friends (15.3%) and to interact with friends less than once per week (41.0%) in comparison with survivors of solid tumors (2.9% and 13.6%, respectively) and siblings (2.3% and 8.7%, respectively). Latent profile analysis identified 3 social classes for survivors of CNS tumors: well-adjusted (53.4%), social deficits (16.2%), and poor peer relationships (30.4%). However, 2 classes were identified for survivors of solid tumors and siblings: well-adjusted (86.2% and 91.1%, respectively) and social deficits (13.8% and 8.9%, respectively). CRT predicted class membership for CNS survivors (odds ratio [OR] for poor peer relationships, 1.16/10 Gy; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.25; OR for social deficits 1.14/10 Gy; 95% CI, 1.04-1.25; reference, well-adjusted). Cognitive impairment mediated the association between all social outcomes and CRT (P values < .001). CONCLUSION: Almost 50% of survivors of CNS tumors experience social difficulties; the pattern is unique in comparison with solid tumor and sibling groups. Cognitive impairment is associated with increased risk, and this highlights the need for multitargeted interventions.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Survivors of High-Risk Neuroblastoma After Stem Cell Transplant: A National Population-Based Perspective.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate the burden of morbidity, in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQL), in survivors of high-risk neuroblastoma (NBL) after myeloablative chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A national population-based survey was undertaken of survivors of high-risk NBL (N = 99), diagnosed between 1991 and 2010 and treated with HSCT. Parents completed a proxy questionnaire incorporating two HRQL measures, Health Utilities Index (HUI) 2 and 3. Children >12 years of age provided self-assessments. Clinical and demographic data were collected. Independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to assess differences. Comparative data were obtained from previously published work and Statistics Canada's 1998 National Population Health Survey. RESULTS: On a scale of 0 (being dead) to 1.0 (perfect health), mean HRQL utility scores were 0.89 (SD = 0.11) in HUI2 and 0.84 (SD = 0.18) in HUI3. Parents reported morbidity in sensation (52.5%), pain (30.3%), cognition (28.0%), and emotion (24.2%) in HUI2 and in hearing (38.4%), pain (30.3%), cognition (27.3%), and speech (23.2%) in HUI3. HRQL was not significantly different compared to NBL survivors treated without HSCT, but was less than in nontransplanted survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Wilms tumor, and children in the general population, yet higher than in survivors of brain tumors. CONCLUSIONS: HRQL is compromised in high-risk NBL survivors treated with and without HSCT. A differential effect on hearing reflects additional exposure to platinum-based chemotherapy. These results should inform long-term care and the development of new therapeutic interventions.

X-linked dystonia parkinsonism syndrome (XDP, lubag): disease-specific sequence change DSC3 in TAF1/DYT3 affects genes in vesicular transport and dopamine metabolism.

X-chromosomal dystonia parkinsonism syndrome (XDP, 'lubag') is associated with sequence changes within the TAF1/DYT3 multiple transcript system. Although most sequence changes are intronic, one, disease-specific single-nucleotide change 3 (DSC3), is located within an exon (d4). Transcribed exon d4 occurs as part of multiple splice variants. These variants include exons d3 and d4 spliced to exons of TAF1, and an independent transcript composed of exons d2-d4. Location of DSC3 in exon d4 and utilization of this exon in multiple splice variants suggest an important role of DSC3 in the XDP pathogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we transfected neuroblastoma cells with four expression constructs, including exons d2-d4 [d2-d4/wild-type (wt) and d2-d4/DSC3] and d3-d4 (d3-d4/wt and d3-d4/DSC3). Expression profiling revealed a dramatic effect of DSC3 on overall gene expression. Three hundred and sixty-two genes differed between cells containing d2-d4/wt and d2-d4/DSC3. Annotation clustering revealed enrichment of genes related to vesicular transport, dopamine metabolism, synapse function, Ca(2+) metabolism and oxidative stress. Two hundred and eleven genes were differentially expressed in d3-d4/wt versus d3-d4/DSC3. Annotation clustering highlighted genes in signal transduction and cell-cell interaction. The data show an important role of physiologically occurring transcript d2-d4 in normal brain function. Interference with this role by DSC3 is a likely pathological mechanism in XDP. Disturbance of dopamine function and of Ca(2+) metabolism can explain abnormal movement; loss of protection against reactive oxygen species may account for the neurodegenerative changes in XDP. Although d3-d4 also affect genes potentially related to neurodegenerative processes, their physiologic role as splice variants of TAF1 awaits further exploration.

Neuroblastoma and pediatric delirium: a case series.

Delirium occurs frequently in critically ill children, and children with neuroblastoma may be at particular risk. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve short- and long-term outcomes. In this case series, we present four critically ill children with neuroblastoma who were diagnosed with delirium in the post-operative period. In all four patients, the diagnosis of delirium facilitated targeted intervention and improvement. Heightened awareness by pediatric oncologists, surgeons, and intensivists may lead to earlier diagnosis and improvement in clinical outcomes.

Discordant parent reports of family functioning following childhood neuroblastoma: a report from the children's oncology group.

This study examined whether late effects and poor survivor quality of life (QOL) characterize discordant parent dyads and "unhealthy" family functioning in neuroblastoma survivors. Parents of 135 neuroblastoma survivors (78 two-parent dyads) completed measures of late effects and family functioning, and survivors completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL). Although average family functioning scores were "healthy," parent concordance was lower for family functioning than late effects reports. Parent concordance did not differ by late effects or QOL. Family functioning scores were poorer when survivors had more late effects and low physical QOL scores. Parent data should be considered separately when examining child cancer outcomes.

The opsoclonus­myoclonus syndrome.

The opsoclonus­myoclonus syndrome is a rare and distinct neurological disorder characterised by rapid multidirectional conjugate eye movements (opsoclonus), myoclonus and ataxia, along with behavioural changes in adults and irritability in children. Sometimes it is due to a self-limiting presumed para-infectious brainstem encephalitis but it may also represent a non-metastatic manifestation of neuroblastoma in children and small cell carcinoma of the lung in adults. In this article, we will describe the clinical features, diagnosis, pathogenesis and management.

[Loïs or the end of life of a child suffering from cancer]. / Loïs ou la fin de vie d'un enfant atteint de cancer.

Loïs, suffering from a malignant tumour, was supported until his death by a general paediatric department, with the collaboration of a mobile continuing care and support team and surrounded by his parents. The particularity of this multi-disciplinary support lies in the fact that the family experienced the birth of their daughter at the same time.

International consensus for neuroblastoma molecular diagnostics: report from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) Biology Committee.

Neuroblastoma serves as a paradigm for utilising tumour genomic data for determining patient prognosis and treatment allocation. However, before the establishment of the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) Task Force in 2004, international consensus on markers, methodology, and data interpretation did not exist, compromising the reliability of decisive genetic markers and inhibiting translational research efforts. The objectives of the INRG Biology Committee were to identify highly prognostic genetic aberrations to be included in the new INRG risk classification schema and to develop precise definitions, decisive biomarkers, and technique standardisation. The review of the INRG database (n=8800 patients) by the INRG Task Force finally enabled the identification of the most significant neuroblastoma biomarkers. In addition, the Biology Committee compared the standard operating procedures of different cooperative groups to arrive at international consensus for methodology, nomenclature, and future directions. Consensus was reached to include MYCN status, 11q23 allelic status, and ploidy in the INRG classification system on the basis of an evidence-based review of the INRG database. Standardised operating procedures for analysing these genetic factors were adopted, and criteria for proper nomenclature were developed. Neuroblastoma treatment planning is highly dependant on tumour cell genomic features, and it is likely that a comprehensive panel of DNA-based biomarkers will be used in future risk assignment algorithms applying genome-wide techniques. Consensus on methodology and interpretation is essential for uniform INRG classification and will greatly facilitate international and cooperative clinical and translational research studies.

"Hopefully This Will All Make Sense at Some Point": Meaning and Performance in Illness Blogs.

AIMS: To analyze the narratives of illness blogs created by parents of children with cancer. BACKGROUND: The profound effects of the childhood cancer experience on family members and the turn to the Internet by parents for help in the process are gaining research attention. DESIGN: The qualitative study design involved secondary narrative analysis of 14 illness blogs: 9 by the parents of children with neuroblastoma and 5 by the parents of children with leukemia. Daily blog entries were analyzed as individual units of illness experience expression and in relation to one another to identify thematic and linguistic similarities. METHODS: The initial analysis of these illness blogs resulted in identification of the quest for balance as a primary theme. Narratives in parents' childhood cancer illness blogs illustrated themes of performance. During this initial analysis, however, the author repeatedly asked, "Why are they writing this? And why publish this?" A second analysis of the data answered these questions of why parents blog about the experience. RESULTS: Narrative analysis resulted in the discovery of 6 main reasons that parents wrote and published the childhood cancer experience online: to report, explain, express, reflect, archive, and advocate. CONCLUSION: The analysis suggests that incorporation of parent writing may improve family--provider communication, enhance the family-health care professional relationship, enhance safety by preventing medical errors, improve reporting of clinical trial data such as adverse events, and improve satisfaction.

[Neuropsychological profile in opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome presenting as neuroblastic tumours]. / Perfil neuropsicologico en el sindrome opsoclono-mioclono-ataxia como forma de presentacion de tumores neuroblasticos.

INTRODUCTION: Sociosanitary improvements experienced in western society have significantly increased the survival of patients with opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMAS). However, several studies have reported neurological, cognitive-behavioral and development persistent deficits in 70-80% of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed cases of neuroblastic tumors diagnosed in a total period of 13 years and six months (from January 2000 to May 2013) and its association with OMAS in the pediatric service of a general hospital of a third level. Furthermore, it conducts a full neuropsychological study in three children diagnosed with OMAS. RESULTS: We objectified deficits in intelligence, attention, processing speed, memory, language, visuospatial and visuoconstructive skills, fine motor skills and executive functions. In addition, we found alterations in the psychological profile. CONCLUSIONS: Data emphasize the role of the cerebellum in complex cognitive processing in child population probably linked to neurodevelopmental deficits in this structure caused by deficiencies of the immune system. The results are interpreted in the framework of child neuropsychology and their interest in studying the brain-behavior relationships in the dynamic context of brain development.

TITLE: Perfil neuropsicologico en el sindrome opsoclono-mioclono-ataxia como forma de presentacion de tumores neuroblasticos.Introduccion. Las mejoras sociosanitarias experimentadas en la sociedad occidental han incrementado de forma significativa la supervivencia de los pacientes con el sindrome opsoclono-mioclono-ataxia (SOMA). Sin embargo, diversos estudios han informado de deficits neurologicos, cognitivo-conductuales y de desarrollo persistentes en el 70-80% de estos pacientes. Pacientes y metodos. Se revisan los casos de tumores neuroblasticos diagnosticados en un periodo total de 13 años y seis meses (desde enero de 2000 a mayo de 2013) y su asociacion a SOMA en el servicio de pediatria de un hospital general de tercer nivel. Ademas, se lleva a cabo la evaluacion neuropsicologica exhaustiva de tres niños diagnosticados de SOMA. Resultados. Hemos objetivado deficits en inteligencia, atencion, velocidad de procesamiento, memoria, lenguaje, habilidades visuoespaciales y visuoconstructivas, motricidad fina y funciones ejecutivas. Ademas, hemos comprobado alteraciones en el perfil psicologico. Conclusiones. Se aportan datos que enfatizan el papel del cerebelo en el procesamiento cognitivo complejo en poblacion infantil, probablemente vinculado a alteraciones neuromadurativas de esta estructura motivadas por deficiencias del sistema inmunologico. Los resultados encontrados son interpretados en el marco conceptual de la neuropsicologia Infantil y su interes por estudiar las relaciones cerebro-conducta en el contexto dinamico del desarrollo cerebral.

Neuropsychological resiliency after treatment for advanced stage neuroblastoma.

The purpose of this study was to describe the neuropsychological functioning of survivors of advanced stage neuroblastoma. In all, 16 survivors, diagnosed at a median of 2.8 years, who had received intensive chemotherapy and surgical treatments, were identified; 11 had received myeloablative consolidation therapy, eight with total body irradiation (TBI). All patients were evaluated with a neuropsychological assessment battery at a median age of 8.8 years. Analyses included comparison of the performances of the TBI group vs the no-TBI group; determination of whether the proportion of individuals with impaired or superior performance on each measure exceeded normative expectations; and performance indexes reflecting patterns of performance. Results indicate no significant deleterious impact of TBI and/or presence or absence of myeloablative therapy on neurocognitive and neurobehavioral functioning. For this cohort, resilience to neuropsychological vulnerability was observed, which included the emergence of a profile of full-scale IQ, verbal IQ, and mathematical achievement well above average expectations. We concluded that the results document a lack of neuropsychological morbidity among this cohort of survivors of advanced stage neuroblastoma, regardless of the inclusion of TBI. Moreover, a striking pattern of excellent neurocognitive functioning with intact neurobehavioral functioning was observed.

Neuropsychological outcome in long-term survivors of a childhood extracranial solid tumor who have undergone autologous bone marrow transplantation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate neuropsychological and adaptive functioning of children who have undergone bone marrow transplantation (BMT) without previous cranial irradiation. In total, 76 children treated for an extracranial tumor with BMT without total body irradiation (TBI) were evaluated at least 5 years after the end of the treatment.Overall, their performance and skills were in the normal range and their professional and academic outcomes were satisfactory. Nevertheless, we observed a deleterious effect of deafness on verbal IQ associated with the previous administration of cisplatin during conventional chemotherapy. In addition, reading difficulties had arisen. This could be related to absence from kindergarten or primary school during hospitalization. Finally, in the younger subgroup, visual-perceptual skills were found to be more fragile.

Case study: possible traumatic stress disorder in an infant with cancer.

The posttraumatic stress disorder model has been used to describe some children's experience with cancer. This article presents the case of a 5-month-old infant in whom a neuroblastoma was diagnosed at age 2 weeks. His symptoms at the time of the psychiatric consultation were consistent with the criteria for traumatic stress disorder in infants from the ZERO TO THREE: Diagnostic Classification. This case study invites future clinical and research queries about traumatic stress disorder in infants with serious medical illnesses.