Among survivors of pediatric cancers, brain tumor survivors are comparatively at high risk for experiencing relapsed disease. However, little is known about how disease relapse affects long-term psychological functioning in this cohort. This study of 162 pediatric brain tumor survivors, now adolescents and young adults (ages 12-36), demonstrates that survivors who have experienced relapsed disease are at increased risk for symptoms of anxiety, even years after successful treatment for relapse. Results underscore the need for adolescent and young adult survivors, particularly those with a history of relapsed disease, to receive ongoing psychosocial assessment and intervention that is integrated with their oncology follow-up care.
Keywords: anxiety; brain tumor; relapse; survivorship.