Medulloblastoma - Diagnosis & Treatment

How is medulloblastoma diagnosed?

The diagnosis of medulloblastoma typically involves a combination of imaging studies and tissue sampling, including the following:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the preferred imaging method for detecting brain tumours. It provides detailed images of the brain and can help determine the tumour's location and size.
• Computerised Tomography (CT) scan is usedto quickly reveal the presence of a brain tumour.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap), to collect cerebrospinal fluid so as to check for the presence of tumour cells that may have spread to the spinal cord.
• Biopsy, during which asample of the tumour tissue is removed surgically and analysed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the tumour's subtype.

How is medulloblastoma treated?

Treatment for medulloblastoma usually involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Surgery. The primary goal is to remove as much of the tumour as possible without damaging critical brain functions. Complete resection improves the chances of successful treatment.

Radiation therapy. Post-surgical radiation to the brain and spinal cord is a standard treatment to destroy any remaining cancer cells. However, its use in very young children is limited due to potential long-term side effects.

Chemotherapy. Often used in conjunction with radiation therapy, chemotherapy helps to kill cancer cells that may have spread or are resistant to other treatments.

Targeted therapy. In some cases, drugs that specifically target the molecular abnormalities of the tumour may be used, particularly in tumours with known genetic mutations.