Medulloblastoma is the most common type of malignant tumor of the central nervous system in children. According to Children's Hospital Boston, medulloblastoma accounts for 15 percent to 20 percent of all pediatric tumors in children. Medulloblastoma tumors are located on the cerebellum, the area of a child's brain that controls complex motor skills and functions as well as balance.
The most common ages for children to develop medulloblastoma is between 3 and 8.
Causes
According to Children's Hospital Boston, researchers have not determined predisposing factors that cause the development of medulloblastoma in children. Researchers do believe that it is possible certain rare genetic conditions may lead to the increased frequency and development of medulloblastoma. Due to this belief, research is focused on understanding the genetic pathways that might be involved in the development of medulloblastoma in children.
Symptoms
Children's Hospital Boston states that common medulloblastoma symptoms include: headaches that tend to occur during morning hours upon waking up, increased pressure within the brain, fatigue, lethargy and possible vomiting. Often these symptoms are mistaken for and misdiagnosed as viral infections or the flu. Medulloblastoma in children may also cause symptoms of double vision, neck tilt, lack of coordination and/or imbalance. Medulloblastoma tumors may also develop on the spinal cord, causing significant back pain and/or a loss of strength in a child's lower extremities.
Treatments
Treatment for medulloblastoma in children will depend on the size, location and type of tumor, your child's medical history, age and overall health, and your child's tolerance of medications and therapies used for treatment. Treatment options may include a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, also known as a VP shunt, a type of tubing placed in the head to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain. VP shunts also help control pressure levels within the brain. Surgery to remove the tumor may also be a treatment option. Your physician may also opt for radiation or chemotherapy to treat a medulloblastoma tumor.
Effects of Treatment
Children who undergo treatment for medulloblastoma may experience long-term effects that may include: loss of height due to radiation, hearing loss related to chemotherapy, and possible endocrine dysfunctions due to irradiation effects on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. It is also possible for children to develop secondary tumors in areas of the body that were exposed to radiation therapy. Secondary tumors tend to develop eight to 12 years after treatment.
Follow-up Treatments
Children who are diagnosed with and treated for medulloblastoma can expect to undergo yearly evaluations with detailed neurological and physical examinations, endocrine assessments, MRIs, neurophysiological testing and audiological evaluations.
Tags: Children Hospital, Children Hospital Boston, development medulloblastoma, Hospital Boston, According Children