By: Anna Gooden

MEDULLOBLASTOMA

Medulloblastoma

• Medulloblastoma is a type of brain tumor.• It is also known as PNET. • It occurs in children and teenagers.

• Medulloblastoma is caused by "stem cells" that have been prevented from dividing and forming into normal cell types.

• Medulloblastoma has a tendency to spread to other sites in the nervous system and to other body organs.

• Symptoms of Medulloblastoma are : unsteadiness, morning headaches, vomiting, and frequent falls.

Caused By and Symptoms

Area affected & Who is affected

• Medulloblastoma usually form in the fourth ventricle between the brainstem and the cerebellum.

• Medulloblastoma is higher in males (62%) than females (38%). Medulloblastoma and other PNET tumors are more common in younger children than older children.

Prognosis and Treatments Available

• Treatment begins with maximal removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation.

• Prognosis is worse if the child is less than 3 years old because it can spread easily threw the nervous system.

• 40% of Medulloblastoma patients are diagnosed before the age of 5.

• 31% are between the ages of 5 and 9• 18.3% are between the ages of 10 and 14• 12.7% are between the ages of 15 and 19

• The tumor is solid, pink-gray in color • The tumor is very cellular• It has little cytoplasm • Has the tendency to form clusters and rosettes.

• Websites:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medulloblastomawww.childhoodbraintumor.org

Interesting Facts and Websites