Communication and swallowing outcomes of children diagnosed with childhood brain tumor or leukemia: A systematic review

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review was to appraise and synthesize evidence on communication and swallowing outcomes associated with childhood brain tumor or leukemia (CBTL). A comprehensive database and grey literature search was conducted. Studies included: (a) peer-reviewed research published between 1998 and 2019, (b) English language, (c) children aged 0-16 years diagnosed with CBTL, and (d) used outcome measures focused on communication and/or swallowing. Quality assessment was completed and certainty of evidence rated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Fifty-seven studies met inclusion criteria: 46 examined communication, seven examined swallowing, and four considered both. Most studies were descriptive and prospective. Communication difficulties were frequently reported and apparent at one or more points from diagnosis to survivorship. Swallowing difficulties were frequently reported during oncology treatment. Despite quality assessment revealing methodological shortcomings, results have implications for clinical services and future research.

Communication, academic and social outcomes of childhood cancer survivors with hearing loss: A systematic review

“…For example, children with CNS cancers and leukaemia already have an increased risk of communication, academic and occupational difficulties. [37][38][39][40] Alternatively, it is possible that studies contained too few CCS with HL for measured outcomes to present as statistically significant. 80 Because included studies were heterogeneous and lacked baseline measures, this review cannot evaluate the influence of confounding factors, such as access to support services or hearing intervention, age at cancer diagnosis and type or intensity of cancer treatment.…”

“…With a range of differing physical, psychological and environmental circumstances, 24,34,75 factors other than the presence of treatment‐induced HL may have a more pronounced impact on CCS. For example, children with CNS cancers and leukaemia already have an increased risk of communication, academic and occupational difficulties 37–40 . Alternatively, it is possible that studies contained too few CCS with HL for measured outcomes to present as statistically significant 80 …”

“…In 2019, a systematic review reported adults with treatment‐induced HL or tinnitus were more likely to have lower quality of life than other adults with cancer 12 . Systematic reviews have also demonstrated some CCS experience greater communication, academic and social barriers than children without cancer 32,37–41 . However, no literature review has collated or evaluated evidence about the outcomes of CCS with treatment‐induced HL.…”

“…12 Systematic reviews have also demonstrated some CCS experience greater communication, academic and social barriers than children without cancer. 32,[37][38][39][40][41] However, no literature review has collated or evaluated evidence about the outcomes of CCS with treatmentinduced HL.…”

An investigation of language learning and processing in children with developmental language disorder and pediatric cerebellar tumor survivors

“…Unfortunately, a significant number of children has difficulties learning and/or using language (Alighieri et al, 2021;Messer & Dockrell, 2006;Tomblin et al, 1997). These pediatric language impairments may have a clear anatomical origin, such as in children with traumatic brain injury (Ewing-Cobbs & Barnes, 2002) or brain tumors (Hodges et al, 2021). However, others have no agreed upon biological cause, as is the case for children with developmental language disorder 1 (DLD; Bishop, 2006).…”