Motor nervous system impairment persists in long‐term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Visuomotor control in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with chemotherapy only

“…The frequency of reported neurological symptoms and signs corresponds with the results of other studies on neurological function in children treated for ALL with chemotherapy only, with gross motor difficulties, abnormal deep tendon reflexes, dysdiadochokinesia and0or fine motor problems being reported in 30-50% of children after the end of treatment (Harila-Saari et al, 1998;Harila-Saari et al, 2001;Reinders-Messelink et al, 1996) and still detectable in 8-30% of children 5 years after cessation of therapy (Lehtinen et al, 2002). Results of sensory and motor evoked potential studies suggest that neurological abnormalities are associated with demyelinative injury to central as well as peripheral nerve tracts (Harila-Saari et al, 2001;Lehtinen et al, 2002;Vainionpaa et al, 1997). In their studies on motor performance in children with ALL, ReindersMesselink et al (1996ReindersMesselink et al ( , 1999ReindersMesselink et al ( , 2001 found that problems with balance and gross motor performance occurred mainly during treatment and improved with time, while fine motor problems appeared after treatment.…”

“…This has resulted in an increasing interest in the late effects of disease and treatment on physical, mental and social well-being of the survivors. Several elements of therapy for ALL may affect the function of the central and peripheral nervous system, and cognitive deficits (e.g., Anderson et al, 2000;Brown et al, 1992;Butler et al, 1994;Moleski, 2000;Ochs et al, 1991) as well as gross and fine motor impairments (Galea et al, 2004;HarilaSaari et al, 2001;Lehtinen et al, 2002;Reinders-Messelink et al, 1996;Vainionpaa, 1993;Wright et al, 1998) have been reported in survivors of childhood ALL. CNS-directed treatment is a standard component of therapy for ALL.…”

Physical Inactivity in Adult Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

“…The neuropathy has generally been considered to be reversible with cessation of therapy and have minimal long-term consequences. A longitudinal follow-up of a small cohort of ALL survivors, however, suggests that a third of survivors still have measurable and clinically relevant gross motor difficulties 5 years after therapy (46). In our analysis, survivors treated with only chemotherapy were not more likely to be inactive.…”

What are the long-term effects of treatment on survivors of childhood leukaemia? A review of the literature

“…One explanation for reduced mobility could be the effect cancer (radiation) treatment has on motor nerve conduction. 33 This study identified a significant difference regarding motor nerve conduction and lower extremities, resulting in a lack of knee extension strength. Survivors' balance was also affected by treatment somewhat, with one third of patients unable to complete the most challenging task.…”