After Treatment

After treatment for brain stem glioma ends, talk with your child’s doctor about developing a follow-up care plan. This plan may include regular physical examinations and/or medical tests to monitor your child’s recovery for the coming months and years. All children treated for brain stem glioma should have life-long, follow-up care.

The child’s follow-up care plan and the long-term risks following treatment depend on several factors, such as the type of tumor and its location, the age of the child at diagnosis, and the type of treatment. For example, craniospinal radiation therapy can cause cognitive (thought-process) and endocrine (hormonal) symptoms over time, although the severity can vary greatly depending on the dose given and the age of the child. Similarly, the risks and potential side effects of surgery vary widely, depending on the location and characteristics of the tumor.Likewise, the risks of chemotherapy and the likelihood of secondary cancers strongly depend on the specific drugs used and the dosage. For each of these issues, it is important to discuss the specific aspects of the tumor and the options for treatment with the neurosurgeon and neuro-oncologist (a medical doctor who specializes in cancer of the central nervous system) that are involved in the child's care.

Based on the type of treatment your child received, the doctor will determine what examinations and tests are needed to check for long-term side effects and the possibility of secondary cancers. Your child’s doctor can recommend the necessary screening tests. Follow-up care should also address the child’s quality of life, including any developmental or emotional concerns. Learn more about childhood cancer survivorship.

The child’s family is encouraged to organize and keep a record of the child’s medical information, so that as the child enters adulthood, he or she has a clear, written history of the diagnosis and details of the treatment given. The doctor’s office can help you compile this, and it should include recommendations from the doctor about the schedule for follow-up care. This information will be valuable to doctors who care for your child during his or her lifetime.

Children who have had a tumor can also enhance the quality of their future by following established guidelines for good health into and through adulthood, including not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and participating in regular physical activity. Talk with the doctor about developing a plan that is best for your child’s needs.

Find out more about common terms used after cancer treatment is complete.