We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Medulloblastoma?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,204
Share

A medulloblastoma is a cancerous tumor which develops in the cerebellum, the area of the brain responsible for movement and coordination. This cancer most frequently occurs in children and it is the most common form of childhood brain tumor. In cases of average risk, the five year survival rate with medulloblastoma is around 65 to 80% with treatment. High risk patients and infants have less favorable survival rates.

The cerebellum is located in the back of the brain, right behind the brain stem. As the cancer grows, it can invade other areas of the brain, with cells traveling through the cerebrospinal fluid. If the cancer is not treated or not caught early enough, it will spread to the spinal cord, causing a variety of symptoms including intense back pain. Medulloblastomas tend to spread very rapidly and aggressively, which makes prompt intervention very important.

One of the key symptoms is coordination problems caused by pressure on the cerebellum from the tumor. Patients may also experience headaches, fatigue, and vomiting, and sometimes the head swells or becomes distorted as a result of the tumor's growth. It can take some time to diagnose medulloblastoma unless a doctor has experience with this type of brain cancer, as these symptoms can be associated with several different medical problems.

Diagnosis can be performed with the assistance of a neurological exam which is designed to assess brain function, and medical imaging studies to look inside the brain. The medulloblastoma will show up as a mass in the brain on such scans, giving a doctor an idea about the size and precise location of the tumor. Once diagnosed, treatment should be provided as soon as possible.

Most successful treatments heavily depend on removal of as much of the tumor as possible. The removal has to be performed with care, as it is important to avoid damaging the patient's brain, and in some cases it may not be possible to take the tumor out without causing brain damage. A skilled neurosurgeon can assess the tumor and its location to determine how much can be removed. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can be used to kill any additional rogue cells in the brain, or to address parts of the tumor which may have been left in.

The cause of medulloblastoma is not known. This cancer is more common in boys, and it may have a genetic component, but there is nothing people can do to prevent the development of this cancer.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-medulloblastoma.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.