Neuropsychological and Behavioral Testing in Young Patients With Medulloblastoma or Supratentorial Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET)

• Consistent, streamlined, and efficient administration of neuropsychological and behavioral tests [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Utilization of standardized battery of age-appropriate neuropsychological and behavioral tests in conjunction with COG Phase III clinical trials [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

RATIONALE: Collecting information over time from a series of tests may help doctors develop effective tests to measure neuropsychological and behavioral function in young patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying neuropsychological and behavioral testing in young patients with medulloblastoma or supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET).

OBJECTIVES:

• To institute procedures to ensure a consistent, streamlined, and efficient administration of the neuropsychological and behavioral tests in a cooperative group setting in order to maximize compliance with a standardized assessment battery conducted at 3 standardized time points in children with medulloblastoma or supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET).
• To utilize a standardized battery of age-appropriate neuropsychological and behavioral tests in conjunction with COG Phase III clinical trials to evaluate cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning over time.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Parent and child participants complete the COG Standard Neuropsychological and Behavioral Battery testing at 9, 30, and 60 months post-diagnosis in a 1-hour session conducted by a neuropsychologist or psychologist. The Battery consists of tests of intelligence, processing speed/attention, memory, language preference, general developmental progress, attention and behavior/social/emotional function, executive function, adoptive function, and quality of life. Additionally, parents complete a parent-report questionnaire to gather information about patient's function in terms of attention, memory, executive abilities, and behavioral, social, and emotional adaption.

• Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors
• Chemotherapeutic Agent Toxicity
• Cognitive/Functional Effects
• Neurotoxicity
• Psychosocial Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment
• Radiation Toxicity
• Therapy-related Toxicity

• Other: questionnaire administration
• Procedure: cognitive assessment
• Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care
• Procedure: quality-of-life assessment

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed diagnosis of medulloblastoma or supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)
• Must be currently enrolled on a COG therapeutic study that aims to examine neuropsychological, social, emotional, and/or behavioral functioning

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Must have receptive and expressive English language skills

• Patients with a history of severe or profound mental retardation (i.e., IQ < 50) are not eligible for enrollment

  • Children with a prior history of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or a specific learning disability (e.g., dyslexia) are eligible for this study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics