Abstract
Over the past decade, the improvement in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics has extended
the overall survival of patients diagnosed with cancer including brain cancer. However,
despite these unprecedented medical successes, patients continue to experience numerous
neurologic complications after treatment that interfere with their independence, functionality,
and overall quality of life. These include, among others, cognitive impairment, endocrinopathies,
peripheral and cranial neuropathies, and vasculopathy. This article describes the
long-term neurologic complications cancer survivors commonly experience to increase
awareness of these complications and discuss treatments when available. Further research
is necessary to understanding of mechanisms of neurologic injury and advance diagnosis
and treatment. Effective patient education, monitoring, and managing neurologic issues
after cancer treatment may improve independence, functionality, and quality of life
during survivorship.
Keywords
brain tumor - survivorship - radiation complications - neuropathy
