Understanding Medulloblastoma – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments Explained

What is Medulloblastoma?

Medulloblastoma is a type of cancerous brain tumor. It is a tumor that grows quickly in the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination. Medulloblastoma is most commonly found in children, but adults can experience this as well.

Symptoms

The symptoms of medulloblastoma can vary depending on the size and location of the tumor, but common symptoms include the following:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness and loss of balance
  • Changes in vision
  • Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
  • Difficulty walking
  • Seizures
  • Learning and memory problems

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of medulloblastoma is usually made when someone presents to their healthcare team with the above symptoms. To start the evaluation, imaging studies will likely be ordered. These scans, such as CT or MRI scans, can help see the tumor in the brain. Additional testing may also be done to determine the tumor’s stage and check for the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.

Ultimately, a tumor biopsy will need to be done to determine what the tumor is. The biopsy may be done as part of the surgical treatment or before surgery in a separate procedure.

Treatment

Treatment for medulloblastoma typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery is usually the first line of treatment to remove as much of the tumor as possible.

Radiation therapy is used to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery and to prevent the tumor from coming back.

Chemotherapy kills cancer cells that may have spread to other body parts.

Medulloblastoma is a type of brain cancer that can be difficult to treat. However, with new advancements in medical technology, more options are available for treatment than ever before.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, it is important to seek the best possible treatment option and have a robust support system throughout the process.

The Benefits of Glioblastoma Screening

What is Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is a type of cancer that develops in the brain. When normal healthy cells become abnormal, they grow abnormally and out of control. One of these types of cancers in the brain is glioblastoma.

Screening for cancer means looking for cancer before it causes any symptoms. Currently, there is no screening test for glioblastoma, and it is found when evaluating the source of symptoms experienced.

Who’s at risk for glioblastoma?

There are some things that can put people at a higher risk for developing glioblastoma. These can include:

● History of radiation exposure

● Family history of brain tumors

● Family history of tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2, von-Hippel Lindau syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome

● Weak immune system

Symptoms of Glioblastoma.

The symptoms that may be experienced with glioblastoma can include the following:

● Headache

● Nausea and vomiting

● Blurred vision or other vision changes

● Seizures

● Significant fatigue

● Personality changes

● Balance problems

● Difficulty speaking

● Hearing loss

● Weakness

● Numbness in some areas of the body

● Trouble swallowing

Evaluation for glioblastoma

If someone is experiencing symptoms as above, they should present to their healthcare provider for evaluation. Some of the tests that may be ordered to evaluate the symptoms can include:

● Blood tests to check blood counts, electrolytes, kidney, and liver function

● CT (computed tomography) scan of the brain

● MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain

If any abnormalities are seen on imaging suspicious for cancer, a biopsy may be done to check for the presence of cancer cells. In some instances, surgery to remove the tumor may be necessary for an official diagnosis of glioblastoma.

Early detection is crucial for the treatment of glioblastoma. Even though there is no certain cure for this cancer, with early diagnosis and treatment, patients have a higher chance of survival.

The most important thing is to be aware of the symptoms and to see a doctor if any changes are noticed.

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