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Rehabilitation Considerations in Pediatric Brain Tumors

  • Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (A Houtrow and M Fuentes, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The goal of this paper is to provide an evidence-based update for rehabilitation providers to guide rehabilitation treatment plans during the care of children with brain tumors across the lifespan.

Recent Findings

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children, and overall the second most common cancer type in children. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) revised classification of these tumors to incorporate molecular parameters. Rehabilitation providers have a role throughout the continuum of care in this population, providing preventative, restorative, supportive, and palliative rehabilitation.

Summary

There remains a paucity of pediatric specific literature related to rehabilitation in pediatric brain tumors. Much of what we know related to the rehabilitative care of children with pediatric brain tumors is extrapolated from research focusing on adults with cancer or those with other acquired brain injuries. However, pediatric cancer patients do benefit from care from a rehabilitative team, which includes a pediatric physiatrist.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    David W. Pruitt, Priya D. Bolikal & Ashlee K. Bolger

  2. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave. ML#4009, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA

    David W. Pruitt, Priya D. Bolikal & Ashlee K. Bolger

Authors
  1. David W. Pruitt
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  2. Priya D. Bolikal
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  3. Ashlee K. Bolger
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Correspondence to David W. Pruitt.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine

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Pruitt, D.W., Bolikal, P.D. & Bolger, A.K. Rehabilitation Considerations in Pediatric Brain Tumors. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 7, 81–88 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-019-00218-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-019-00218-7

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