Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained

Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained Medulloblastoma is a common brain tumor in kids. It’s a type of cancer that mainly happens in children. There are four main types, each with its own signs and behaviors. Knowing about these types helps doctors make better treatment plans for kids.

Understanding Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a very bad brain tumor that mostly happens in kids. It starts in the cerebellum or the back part of the brain. This part helps us balance and move.

What is Medulloblastoma?

It’s a cancer type that comes from cells in the brain from when we were growing inside our mom. It grows fast and needs to be caught early to help the patient.

---

Get Free Consultation

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

- Step 1 of 4

Select Your Gender *

• Woman
• Man

Next

Select Your Age

Age: 0

Next

When do you plan on getting The Treatment? *

• As Soon
• 3 Months
• 1 Year
• Only Info

Next

What is your name? *

Dropdown *Select Your TreatmentCheck-upEar Nose ThroatCardiovascular SurgeryMedical OncologyDentistryNutrition and DieteticsPediatricsDermatologyPhysical Therapy and RehabilitationGeneral SurgeryOphtalmologyInternal MedicineObstetrics and GynecologyWeight Loss SurgeryOrthopedics Traumatology and Sport InjuriesNeurologyNeurosurgeryRadiation OncologyEndoscopyCardiologyRadiologyUrologyOrgan TransplantationHematologyAesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryBone Marrow TransplantationIVF

Phone *

What is your email? *

Paragraph Text

Get Your Consultation

---

ACIBADEM Health Point: The Future of Healthcare

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, which is why we have established multiple branches in strategic locations. Whether you're in need of routine check-ups, specialized treatments, or emergency care, ACIBADEM Health Point is here for you.

---

Who is Affected?

This tumor mostly hits kids who are 16 or younger. It’s a big deal in kids’ cancer cases, making up about 20% of brain tumors in young ones. Boys get it a bit more often than girls.

General Symptoms

Spotting brain tumor signs early is key to getting help fast. Signs of medulloblastoma include:

• Persistent headaches
• Difficulty with balance and coordination
• Nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning
• Blurred or double vision
• Unexplained weight loss
• Irritability or changes in behavior

Seeing these signs early can help kids get the right treatment faster. This gives them a better shot at getting better.

Medulloblastoma 4 Types

Medulloblastoma is a type of brain cancer. It has four main types, each with its own features. Knowing these types helps doctors plan the best treatment for patients.

Overview of the Four Types

• Classic Medulloblastoma: This is the most common type. It has tightly packed cells that grow fast.
• Desmoplastic/Nodular Medulloblastoma: This type has special areas and a reaction that looks like scar tissue. It often happens in young kids.
• Large Cell/Anaplastic Medulloblastoma: This type is very aggressive. It has big cells that don’t look normal and grow fast.
• Medulloblastoma with Extensive Nodularity (MBEN): This type has lots of nodules and is usually found in babies. It has a good chance of getting better.

Importance of Differentiation

It’s very important to know the different types of medulloblastoma. This is because they act and react to treatment in different ways. For example, treating a classic medulloblastoma is different from treating a large cell/anaplastic one.

Knowing the type helps doctors make better treatment plans. It also helps scientists learn more about the cancer. This can lead to new treatments.

Classic Medulloblastoma

Classic medulloblastoma is a common type of brain cancer in kids. It’s very important in pediatric oncology. We need to know about its features, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it.

Characteristics

This type of cancer has lots of cells packed together. They have little space and many cell divisions. Doctors look for these signs to make a good plan for treatment. This helps with the medulloblastoma prognosis.

Diagnosis

Doctors use MRI scans to see where the cancer is and how far it has spread. They might also do a lumbar puncture to check for cancer cells in the spinal fluid. These tests help confirm the cancer and figure out its stage in pediatric oncology.

Treatment Options

Treatment for classic medulloblastoma includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Surgery removes the tumor first. Then, chemotherapy and radiation kill any cancer cells left. These treatments help make the medulloblastoma prognosis better. The exact plan depends on how the cancer responds and its stage.

Desmoplastic/Nodular Medulloblastoma

Desmoplastic/nodular medulloblastoma is a special type of brain cancer. It has a dense, collagenous stroma and grows in a unique way. This makes it different from other types of medulloblastoma.

Characteristics

This type of medulloblastoma looks different because of its dense collagen and nodular growth. It often grows in the cerebellar hemispheres. Inside, it has small clusters of cells surrounded by a lot of fibers.

Diagnosis

Doctors use MRI to see the special nodularity and the dense stroma of this cancer. They also use molecular pathology to get a clear picture. This helps them plan the best treatments.

Treatment Options

Doctors usually start with surgery to remove as much of the cancer as they can. Then, they use radiation and chemotherapy. The treatment plan is made just for this type of cancer, which can lead to better results.

Large Cell/Anaplastic Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained Large cell/anaplastic medulloblastoma is a very aggressive brain cancer. It grows fast and has a poor outlook. Knowing about it is key to helping patients.

Characteristics

Large cell and anaplastic medulloblastoma have fast-growing cells and big differences in cell size. This cancer spreads quickly in the brain and sometimes beyond. Patients often have headaches and throw up because of the cancer.

Diagnosis

To diagnose anaplastic medulloblastoma, doctors use many tests. MRI and CT scans show the tumor’s size and where it is. CSF cytology checks for cancer cells in the fluid around the brain. Molecular diagnostics look at genetic changes in the tumor to help plan treatment. Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained

Treatment Options

Treating this cancer needs a full plan because it’s so aggressive. Surgery, radiation, and chemo are usually used. Surgery tries to remove all the cancer, then radiation helps control any left behind. Chemotherapy uses drugs like cisplatin and vincristine to fight cancer cells. Doctors are also looking into new treatments like targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Medulloblastoma with Extensive Nodularity (MBEN)

Medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity is a special type of brain tumor. It’s common in very young kids. This type has a unique way of growing and needs special care.

Characteristics

MBEN brain tumors have lots of nodules, showing they are well-differentiated. They usually start in kids under three years old. This makes them a big worry in kids’ brain cancer cases.

The nodules make these tumors look different from other medulloblastomas. This helps doctors tell them apart. Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained

Diagnosis

To find out if a brain tumor is MBEN, doctors use scans and tests. MRI scans show the tumor’s nodules. Tests also check the tumor’s genes to confirm the diagnosis.

Spotting it early and correctly is key to treating it well.

Treatment Options

Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained Treating MBEN tumors depends on the child’s age. Doctors aim to be effective without harming the child too much. Surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation are used.

Doctors are always working to make treatments better. They hope to help kids live longer and healthier lives. Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained

Causes and Risk Factors

Understanding why medulloblastoma happens is key to stopping it and treating it. This part looks at the genetic and environmental causes of this brain tumor.

Genetic Factors

Genetics play a big part in medulloblastoma. Mutations in genes like PTCH1 are very important. Mutations in SUFU and TP53 genes also increase the risk by messing with cell growth and stopping tumors.

Environmental Factors

Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained But it’s not just genes. Environmental factors matter too. Being exposed to radiation or chemicals before birth or through parents’ jobs can raise the risk. We need more research to understand these risks better.

Diagnosis and Staging

Getting a correct diagnosis and stage of medulloblastoma is key for good treatment plans. Doctors use many methods to diagnose and stage this brain cancer. These include medical imaging, surgical biopsies, and detailed checks of tissues.

Brain Scans and Imaging

Medical imaging is a big part of finding brain cancer. Doctors often use MRI and CT scans to see if a tumor is there. These scans show the brain clearly, helping doctors see the tumor’s size, where it is, and if it has spread.

These scans are not just for the first diagnosis. They also help check how well treatments are working.

Biopsy and Histopathology

A biopsy is needed to really know if you have medulloblastoma. In this surgery, a tiny piece of the tumor is taken and looked at under a microscope. This helps tell the different types of medulloblastoma apart by looking at the cells.

The results from the biopsy and scans help make a treatment plan just for you. Medulloblastoma: 4 Types Explained

Staging Criteria

Staging medulloblastoma means looking at how big the tumor is and where it has spread. Doctors look at the size of the main tumor, if it touches other brain parts, and if it has spread to other parts of the body. This helps put the disease into stages.

These stages help predict how the disease might go and what treatment you’ll need.