The psychological effects of diagnosis communication on child brain tumor survivors

PURPOSE: Psychological problems in brain tumor survivors in developmental age are due to many factors, including the way diagnosis is communicated and the patient’s awareness of their disease which are believed to play an important role in their emergence and persistence. METHODS: A group of 64 brain tumor survivors (age range: 4–18 years) was studied to verify the presence of psychological problems (through CBCL, VABS and TAD) and their relationship with the past communication of diagnosis (history of avoidance or ‘inadequacy’ of diagnosis communication to the patients}the latter being classified into inconsistent, incomplete or unclear). RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between mood disorder and Internalizing problems and a history of avoidance or inadequacy. CONCLUSIONS: Proper communication of diagnosis includes complete and consistent information about the disease, its evolution, its outcomes, cancer treatment, drug treatment and remediation which must be provided in a clear language according to the patient’s age and cognitive skills. Proper communication is associated to a lower number of psychological problems and favors the development of functional strategies to cope with the disease and related daily impairments.