COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION FOLLOWING SURGERY FOR INTRACEREBRAL GLIOMA - INFLUENCE OF HISTOPATHOLOGY, LESION LOCATION, AND TREATMENT

This study examined the relationship between cognitive function, tumor malignancy, adjunctive therapy, and lesion lateralization following s urgery for intracerebral glioma. Neuropsychological test battery resul ts showed no difference between patients with highly malignant gliomas and those with less malignant gliomas, but differences were found for tumor lateralization and type of therapy. Scores on a test of graphom otor speed were lowest for patients who had received radiation or a co mbination of radiation and chemotherapy, regardless of lesion location . Other test results did not differ according to type of prior treatme nt but were related instead to tumor lateralization. Left hemisphere l esions were associated with lower scores on verbal tests, while right hemisphere lesions were related to lower scores on a test of facial re cognition. These findings suggest that neuropsychological tests may be useful for distinguishing between the diffuse side effects of brain t umor therapy and the focal effects of tumors and surgery on brain func tions. In addition, it appears that any differences in cognitive funct ion due to tumor malignancy are eliminated or reduced following surgic al intervention.