A 'core plus' approach is suggested in which core assessments (both direct and indirect tests) are recommended for all clinical trials. The core component is a relatively brief screening assessment that, in most countries, is a sub-component of routine clinical provision. The 'plus' components enable the addition of assessments which can be selected by individual countries and/or tumour-, age-, and location-specific groups. The implementation of a QoS protocol common to all European clinical studies of childhood brain tumours is also discussed.

Background. We identified child-related determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children aged 8 -14 years who were treated for 2 common types of pediatric brain tumors.

The addition of CT to CSI for medulloblastoma was associated with a significant decrease in health status. The effect of the addition of other CT regimens to CSI on quality of survival should be evaluated.

No abstract