Childhood Cancer: Medulloblastoma

Question 1

What age group and gender are most at-risk for medulloblastoma?

Answer 1

0-10 y/o males

Question 2

What percentage of childhood brain tumors are medulloblastoma?

Answer 2

20%

Question 3

True or false: Medulloblastoma affects the cerebellum.

Answer 3

True; affects balance and coordination

Question 4

What are the symptoms of medulloblastoma?

Answer 4

1) Clumsiness
2) HA
3) Vomiting
4) Decline in school performance
5) Back pain
6) Loss of bladder control

Question 5

What is the survival rate of medulloblastoma?

Answer 5

About 50%

Question 6

What is the treatment for medulloblastoma?

Answer 6

1) Surgery
2) Radiation
3) Chemotherapy
(Order of these is important)

Question 7

Why is chemo the last option for medulloblastoma?

Answer 7

Blood/brain barrier makes it difficult to get drugs into brain (though we now have new treatments that make the brain “leaky” and help drugs get through).

Question 8

What are the downfalls for surgery and radiation?

Answer 8

Often affect tissues around the tumor, which alters normal functioning

Question 9

What is the genetic pathway for medulloblastoma?

Answer 9

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway