What is
ANAPLASTIC (Large Cell) MEDULLOBLASTOMA?
Medulloblastoma is the most common of the embryonal tumors formed from poorly developed cells at a
very early stage of their life. These
tumors form in the cerebellum, the lower base of the brain,
that controls balance, movement and posture. Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer
among children and 1 out of 5 childhood brain tumors are Medulloblastoma. Although significant strides have been made
in diagnosing and treating these tumors, Medulloblastoma
tumors remain one of the most challenging pediatric tumors. Approximately 70% of these tumors are
diagnosed in children under the age of 10.
Treatment for Medulloblastoma
depends on the age of the child and the size/position of the tumor. In most cases, surgery is performed to remove
as much of the tumor as possible with minimal neurological damage. In about 1/3 of patients, the tumor has grown
into the brain stem making total removal impossible. Sometimes a permanent shunt is necessary to
drain fluid from the brain to the abdomen.
Surgery is then followed by radiation to the brain and spinal cord to
help deter spreading through the CSF (cerebro spinal
fluid) and hopefully to deter regrowth. Chemotherapy is then given to help further
deter the spread of cancer cells through the spinal fluid.
Symptoms of a Medulloblastoma brain tumor in a child can be:
·
Nausea
& Vomiting / Morning Headache or headache that goes away after vomiting
·
Loss
of balance, difficulty walking, slow speech, worsening handwriting
·
Change
in personality or behavior
·
Unexplained
weight loss or weight gain
·
Sudden
change in energy level or unusual sleepiness
There are several
types of Medulloblastoma:
·
Classic
Medulloblastoma
or Large Cell or Anaplastic Medulloblastoma
·
Medulloblastoma with neuroblastic or neuronal
differentiation
·
Medulloblastoma with glial differentiation
·
Medullomyoblastoma or Melanotic Medulloblastoma
The prognosis for children and how well they respond to
treatment for any type of Medulloblastoma is affected
by several things; their age at the time of diagnosis, the size and extent of
the tumor, the amount of the tumor that is safely removed and the level of
metastatic disease. Today children have
a significantly improved chance of survival thanks to advanced research and
studies. For more information and ways
you can help, please visit the following websites.