Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a malignant, embryonal brain tumour that develops in the posterior fossa.   Growths here can inhibit the cerebellum, which controls movement and balance in patients. On some occasions, it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the spine or lungs, through the central nervous system (CNS).

Incidence

Medulloblastomas account for 15%-20% all childhood brain tumours; they are most common in children between and 8. Boys are at a slightly higher risk than girls. More than 70% of cases occur in children under the age of 10; incidence decreases significantly with age.

Survival

In cases where a tumour has not spread, survival rates can be as high as 70%. When the disease has spread to other parts of the central nervous system, the survival rate is closer to 60%.

For more information, visit our page on Central Nervous System and Brain Tumours

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Whilst medulloblastoma symptoms may differ from child to child, they include:

• Headaches
• Impaired motor skills
• Difficulty walking and balancing
• Tiredness
• Vomiting or nausea

Medulloblastomas can be diagnosed using several imaging tests, such as CT, MRI or PET scans. Doctors may choose to follow up with a biopsy to confirm the presence of a medulloblastoma.

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A combination of treatments for medulloblastomas is currently in use. Surgery is almost always used to remove as much of a tumour as possible.

If a tumour cannot be completely removed this way, a follow-up course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be given. Steroids may also be prescribed to reduce the swelling associated with brain tumours, although these do not stop the overall growth.

With surgery playing a large part in treatment, medulloblastoma treatment can be very aggressive.

We are funding a variety of research projects to learn more about how medulloblastoma develops and can be treated. You can read more about these below, or to learn more about CNS tumour treatments, visit our Brain & CNS Tumour page. Our conference, taking place in September 2017, will also feature talks about how diagnosis is being improved.

Visit Our 2017 Conference Page