Disease Information for Medulloblastoma

A malignant brain tumor that begins in the lower part of the brain and can spread to the spine or to other parts of the body; Medulloblastomas are sometimes called primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET);

------------------NORD--------------------------

Medulloblastoma; Medulloblastoma is a cancerous (malignant) tumor of the lower part of the brain (infratentorial [posterior fossa] tumor) that is derived from immature nerve cells known as neuroblasts (ie, primitive neuroectodermal tumor [PNET]); It is considered the most common malignant brain tumor in children yet is extremely rare in adults; Medulloblastomas generally arise in the back (posterior), mid region (ie, vermis) of the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain behind the brain stem involved in coordinating voluntary movements and regulating balance and posture; They typically infiltrate the roof or side wall of the fluid-filled fourth cavity (ventricle) of the brain, extending into the cavity; (There are four ventricles within the brain that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] and joined by ducts, through which the fluid circulates); Medulloblastomas may invade the protective membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spread (metastasize) via the CSF to the spinal cord, to the surface of the hemispheres of the brain (cerebrum), and, less commonly, to sites outside the brain and spinal cord (ie, central nervous system), particularly to bone; ----------[NORD]-----------

(Edit)