Long term cognitive functioning and psychological well being in surgically treated Low Grade Glioma patients

Objective: The aim of this work is to provide an in-depth investigation of the impact of Low Grade Gliomas (LGG) and their surgery on patients’ cognitive and emotional functioning and wellbeing, carried out via a comprehensive and multiple-measure psychological and neuropsychological assessment. Patients and Methods: Fifty surgically treated LGG patients were evaluated 40 months after surgery on their functioning over six different cognitive domains, three core affective/emotional aspects, and three different psychological well-being measures to obtain a clearer picture of the long-term impact of illness and surgery on their psychological and relational world. Close relatives were also involved to obtain an independent measure of the psychological dimensions investigated. Results: Cognitive status was very satisfactory with only mild Short Term Memory difficulties. The affective and well-being profile was characterized by mild signs of depression, good satisfaction with life and psychological well-being and a good personality development with patients perceiving themselves as stronger and better persons after illness. However patients reported higher emotional reactivity and psychological well-being measures were negatively affected by Epileptic Burden. Well-being was related to positive affective/emotional functioning and unrelated to cognitive functioning. Good agreement between patients and relatives was found. Conclusion: In the long term, patients operated for LGG showed good cognitive functioning, with no significant long-term cognitive sequelae for the extensive surgical approach. Psychologically, patients appear to experience a deep psychological change and maturation, closely resembling that of the so-called Post-Traumatic Growth which, to our knowledge, is for the first time described and quantified in LGG patients.