brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Some Specific Brain Tumors
Treatment of medulloblastomas
Treatment of medulloblastomas depends on the type of medulloblastoma, the person's age, and extent of the tumor's spread. Typically in children over 3 years old, doctors remove as much of the tumor as can be done safely. Then, chemotherapy and, if necessary, radiation therapy are used. Very young children are given several chemotherapy drugs after surgery to try to delay or avoid radiation therapy. (In children, some tissues are more sensitive to radiation than in adults.) In adults, surgery is followed by radiation therapy. Adding chemotherapy may improve survival. With treatment, the percentage of people who are alive 5 years later (the survival rate) vary depending on age. Overall, rates are about 50% or more at 5 years 40% at 10 years 