Childhood Cancer Facts

"Medulloblastoma" (Brain Tumor)

Incidence:

• Medulloblastoma accounts for about 20% of childhood brain tumors. They most often occur in the first decade of life; half occur below 5 to 6 years of age. The peak incidence occurs between 5 to 10 years.

Survival Rate:

• If the tumor has spread to other areas of the brain and spinal cord (or in rare cases, to the bone marrow) the patient is considered high - risk. Current Research ranges from 45% - 65%. (if the disease returns after treatment, a bone marrow transplant is necessary for survival).

Causes:

• The actual cell of origin of the Medulloblastoma remains unknown.

Description:

• Medulloblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor that arises in childhood. These tumors are slightly more common in males than females. This tumor type arises in the posterior fossa. They are also referred to as primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Most patients have a history of headache and morning vomiting, which gets worse with time. If the tumor has spread to the spinal cord, symptoms may include back pain, difficulty walking, and inability to control bladder and bowel functions.

Current Treatment Options:

• Treatments have evolved over the past 30 years with the majority of patients requiring surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Surgery for children with this tumor has become safer, yet two out of every ten children will develop severe, sometimes irreversible, neurological problems (loss of speech & severe balance difficulty). For over 40 years craniospinal irradiation has been the mainstay of postoperative therapy.