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A medulloblastoma is a specific type of brain tumour| which mainly affects children. This information should ideally be read with our general information about brain tumours and children’s cancers|. If you are an adult with a medulloblastoma, most of the information will still be relevant to you.
More people than ever are surviving cancer. There are new and better drugs and treatments available. But it remains devastating to hear that you or your child has cancer, and at times it can feel overwhelming. There are many healthcare professionals and support organisations to help you through this difficult time.
For parents understanding more about the cancer your child has and the treatments that may be used can often help you to cope. We hope you find the information here helpful. Your child’s specialist will give you more detailed information. If you have any questions it’s important to ask the specialist doctor or nurse who knows your child’s individual situation.
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Cells within the brain normally divide and grow in an orderly and controlled way, but if for some reason this process gets out of control, the cells continue to divide and form a lump called a tumour.
A tumour is either benign or malignant. Benign tumours can continue to grow, but the cells do not spread from the original site. In a malignant tumour, the cells can invade and destroy surrounding tissue and may spread to other parts of the brain.
Tumours affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are fairly rare. In the UK, around 5,000 people are diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour each year.
Side view of the head
View a large copy of the diagram of the side view of the head|
Medulloblastomas are malignant tumours formed from poorly developed cells at a very early stage of their life. They develop in the cerebellum (see diagram below) in a part of the skull called the posterior fossa, but may spread to other parts of the brain.
Very rarely, medulloblastomas may spread to other parts of the body. If they do spread to other parts of the brain or to the spinal cord, this is usually through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and the spinal cord.
Tumours affecting the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain and spinal cord, are fairly rare. About 4,500 new tumours are diagnosed each year in the UK. Many of these are malignant.
Medulloblastomas are more common in children, particularly between the ages of three and eight. They make up about 1 in 5 (20%) of all childhood brain tumours. The tumour is more common in boys than girls. They rarely occur in adults.
The cause of medulloblastoma is unknown. Researchers| are trying to discover possible causes.
The first symptoms of any brain tumour are usually due to increased pressure within the skull (raised intracranial pressure). This may be caused by a blockage in the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces in the brain), which leads to a build-up of CSF. The increased pressure can also be caused by swelling around the tumour itself.
Raised intracranial pressure can cause headaches, sickness (vomiting|) and sight problems. Vomiting is common first thing in the morning. Children often appear tired, weak and irritable. There can also be changes in personality and behaviour.
The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls muscle coordination, and a tumour in this area may cause problems with walking. A person may appear to stumble, or walk in an awkward or uncoordinated way. Speech can also be affected, and words may be slurred or muddled.
Other symptoms that can happen with medulloblastoma are nystagmus (jerky eye movements), neck stiffness and muscle weakness. The specific symptoms that people have will depend on the size and position of the tumour.
Your child's doctors need to find out as much as possible about the type, position and size of the tumour, so they can plan treatment. Your child may have a number of tests and investigations to do this.
A doctor will carry out a thorough examination, testing the power and feeling in your child’s arms and legs, as well as their reflexes.
The doctor will look into the back of your child's eyes using an ophthalmoscope to see if the optic nerve at the back of the eye is swollen. This can be caused by oedema (swelling of the tissues within the brain), which may occur due to an increase in the amount of fluid in the brain.
A CT scan| takes a series of x-rays that build up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. The scan is painless and takes 10–30 minutes. CT scans use small amounts of radiation, which will be very unlikely to harm your child or anyone they come into contact with. A CT scan may be used to identify exactly where the tumour is or to check for any spread of the cancer.
Most people who have a CT scan are given an injection or drink first, which allow particular areas to be seen more clearly on the scan. This may make your child feel hot all over. Before having the injection or drink, it is important to tell the person doing this test if your child is allergic to iodine or has asthma.
An MRI scan| is similar to a CT scan but uses magnetism instead of x-rays to build up cross-sectional pictures of your child's body. Often the brain and whole spinal cord are scanned.
Before having the scan, you'll be asked to remove any metal belongings from your child, including jewellery. Some children are given an injection of dye into a vein in the arm. This is called a contrast medium and can help the images from the scan show up more clearly. During the test your child will be asked to lie very still on a couch inside a long cylinder (tube) for about 30 minutes. It is painless but can be slightly uncomfortable, and some children feel a bit claustrophobic during the scan. It's also noisy, but your child can listen to a CD or wear earplugs.
A sample of cells from the tumour (biopsy) is usually taken and examined under a microscope. The biopsy involves an operation. The doctor will discuss with you whether this is needed and exactly what the operation involves.
A lumbar puncture| is carried out to see if there are any tumour cells present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The skin on your child's back is numbed with local anaesthetic, and a hollow needle is inserted between two of the spinal bones and into the spinal canal. A small amount of spinal fluid can be withdrawn for tests. MRI scans can also show the presence of any tumour in the spinal cord.
The treatment for medulloblastoma depends on a number of factors, including your child's general health, and the size and position of the tumour. The results of the tests will enable the doctor to decide on the best type of treatment for your child.
Your child's treatment will usually be planned by a team of specialists known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT|).
The team will usually include:
Before you or your child has any treatment, your doctor will give you full information about the aims of the treatment and what it involves. They will usually ask you to sign a form saying that you give your permission (consent|) for the hospital staff to give the treatment to your child. No medical treatment can be given without your consent. There are some risks associated with treatment to the brain and the doctor will discuss these with you.
Treatment can be given for different reasons and the potential benefits will vary for each child. If your child has been offered treatment that aims to cure the cancer, deciding whether your child has the treatment may not be difficult. However, if a cure is not possible and the treatment is to control the cancer for a period of time, it may be more difficult to decide whether to go ahead.
If you feel that you can’t make a decision about the treatment| when it is first explained, you can always ask for more time to decide.
Treatment is often given at an important time in your child’s development. There may be some long-term effects of treatment for medulloblastoma, including hearing problems, growth and hormonal changes, behavioural changes and possible learning difficulties. The doctor will discuss the possible long-term effects with you before treatment.
If your child has raised intracranial pressure, steroid drugs| may be given to reduce swelling around the tumour. At the beginning of the operation a tube (shunt) may need to be inserted into the area to drain off the excess fluid.
The aim of surgery| is to remove as much of the tumour as possible, without damaging the surrounding brain tissue. It is rarely possible to remove the tumour completely, so surgery will be followed up with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
After surgery for medulloblastoma, a CT scan or MRI scan may be done to find out how much of the tumour is left.
Radiotherapy| treatment uses high energy rays to destroy the cancer cells. It is commonly used after surgery to destroy any remaining malignant cells. As medulloblastoma may spread through the CSF to the spinal cord, radiotherapy is given to the brain and spinal cord. This may be followed by a booster dose to the part of the brain where the medulloblastoma was originally found.
Whenever possible, radiotherapy is not given to children under three years old. This is to allow further development of the brain and spinal cord, and to reduce the risk of long-term side effects. Instead, a course of chemotherapy is given and, if necessary, radiotherapy is given when the child is older.
There can be a risk of developing late side effects from radiotherapy. The doctors will be able to explain more about this.
Chemotherapy| is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It may be given alone to treat medulloblastoma, or with surgery and radiotherapy.
Side effects may include increased risked of infection, tiredness, hair loss, feeling sick and a sore mouth. The doctor or nurse will be able to tell you more about the side effects your child may experience during treatment, and ways of managing them.
As a parent, the fact that your child has a serious illness is one of the worst situations that you can be faced with. You may have many different emotions|, such as fear, guilt, sadness, anger and uncertainty. These are all normal reactions and are part of the process that many parents go through at such a difficult time.
The section on children’s cancers| talks about the emotional impact of caring for an unwell child and suggests sources of help and support. It also discusses the range of powerful emotions your child may experience throughout their illness, including how you can support your child.
Our booklet Katie’s Garden| is a storybook for primary school-age children about a girl's experience of cancer)
In some circumstances, adults with a medulloblastoma may not be allowed to drive for a period of time.
After surgery to the main part of the brain (the cerebrum) there is a small risk of epileptic fits. The Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Association (DVLA) will not let people drive for at least a year after this type of surgery.
The hospital will not contact the DVLA. It is your responsibility to do this and your doctor will advise you on how to go about this.
Children treated for a medulloblastoma will normally be allowed to drive from the age of 17. They can hold a full licence until 70, unless there are ongoing medical problems associated with their tumour or treatment such as epilepsy.
The DVLA| advises GPs and other members of the medical profession on the medical standards of fitness to drive. Patients should seek advice from their doctors.
This information has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources, including:
With thanks to Dr Nick Plowman Consultant Clinical Oncologist, and the people affected by cancer who reviewed this edition. Reviewing information is just one of the ways you could help when you join our Cancer Voices network|.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.