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Cognitive outcome as part and parcel of clinical outcome in brain tumor surgery

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Abstract

Although validated tools (neuropsychological tests, patient reported outcomes, mood and psychological profile) were first introduced many years ago in clinical practice, the impact of the tumor itself on patient cognition has not been extensively studied. Furthermore, while outcome research is evolving in an attempt to adapt the use of different tools to the preoperative and postoperative phases, the standard guidelines for evaluating outcome after brain surgery, by neurological examination and complication assessment, are frequently neglected in the current literature. This article attempts to provide an appraisal of the evidence for the impact of surgical treatment on cognitive function of brain tumor patients within the context of general outcome.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Verona, P. Stefani 1, 37126, Verona, Italy

    A. Talacchi, B. Santini, P. Meneghelli & M. Gerosa

  2. Section of Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    S. Savazzi

  3. Clinical Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    D. d’Avella & L. Denaro

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  1. A. Talacchi
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  2. D. d’Avella
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  3. L. Denaro
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Correspondence to A. Talacchi.

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Talacchi, A., d’Avella, D., Denaro, L. et al. Cognitive outcome as part and parcel of clinical outcome in brain tumor surgery. J Neurooncol 108, 327–332 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-012-0818-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-012-0818-3

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