Abstract

Radiotherapy is a component of the treatment regimen for the majority of patients with low-grade gliomas. Therefore, the effect of radiotherapy on the long-term cognitive performance of these patients is a major concern. This article reviews the neurocognitive effects of radiotherapy on patients with low-grade gliomas. The weight of evidence suggests only sporadic, limited neurocognitive damage from focal radiotherapy at the doses usually prescribed for low-grade gliomas.

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Author notes

Division of Radiation Oncology (P.D.B.),Division of Medical Oncology (J.C.B.), andDivision of Neuro-Oncology (J.H.U.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; andDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA (E.G.S.)