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Treatment of medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a malignant tumor located in the posterior cranial fossa in the cerebellum. The term “blastoma” is applied to those tumors that have a high degree of malignancy – their cells are such that it is difficult to determine what functions they performed before they were reborn. Experts call this a pronounced degree of anaplasia. This tumor is mainly found in children, and its peculiarity is that it can metastasize, not only within the nervous system, but also in other organs and bones of the skeleton.

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More information about the diagnosis can be found at the link: Learn more

Clinical picture of medulloblastoma

Symptoms

The symptoms of medulloblastoma vary from patient to patient. Symptoms of medulloblastoma include:

  • Headaches, which may be worse in the morning and get better during the day
  • Nausea or vomiting in the morning
  • Problems with motor skills, such as clumsiness or poor handwriting
  • Tiredness
  • Tilting the head to one side
  • Walking difficulty and balance problems

 

Diagnosis

One or more of the following diagnostic tests may be used to find out if you have medulloblastoma and if it has spread. These tests also may be used to find out if treatment is working.

Imaging tests, including:

  • CT (computed tomography) scans
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain and spine
  • PET (positive emission tomography) scan

Surgery: If an MRI or CT of the brain shows a tumor in the lower part of the back of the brain, medulloblastoma may be a possibility. In an operation called a craniotomy, all or part of the brain tumor is removed. This is needed to confirm the diagnosis and is the first step of treatment. If tumor removal is not possible, a biopsy may be needed. In a biopsy, a small sample is removed from the tumor and looked at with a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.

 

Treatment

Medulloblastoma treatment almost always includes surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible as safely as possible to minimize damaging the surrounding brain tissue. Studies have shown that if doctors remove more of the tumor, the chances for successful treatment and improved survival are better.

In addition, surgery may be required to treat a condition called hydrocephalus. This occurs when the tumor blocks the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain and spine. In this situation, doctors may perform a procedure to divert the CSF.

Like all surgeries, brain tumor surgery is most successful when performed by a specialist with a great deal of experience in the particular procedure. This is especially true with brain tumors, because it is crucial to remove as much of the tumor as possible while leaving intact as much brain function as possible.

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