Overview
Medulloblastoma is a cancerous tumor that starts in the lower back part of the brain. This part of the brain is referred to as the cerebellum. The cerebellum is involved in muscle coordination, balance and movement. These tumors often grow quickly and can spread to other parts of central nervous system, but usually respond well to treatment.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms include:
Headaches
Nausea or vomiting in the morning
Clumsiness
Problems with handwriting
Tilting the head to one side
Difficulty walking
Balance problems
Your child’s doctor will do a full physical exam and take a detailed medical history. Additional tests might be ordered, including:
A biopsy to get a sample of the tissue. This will be done while your child is under anesthesia.
Treatment
Surgery. When the tumor is in an area that doctors can reach safely, surgery will be done to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
High energy X-rays. These are used to shrink tumors and prevent them from growing.
Our UW Health Kids Cancer Care specialists offer the most advanced treatment options. Our pediatric cancer and blood disorder experts are national research leaders. We test new therapies and continue to work on therapies for pediatric cancer and blood disorders. For many children with rare or hard-to-treat conditions, clinical trials provide new options.
Locations
Receiving care from the UW Health Kids hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant program at American Family Children’s Hospital means you have access to the knowledge and skills of many medical and support specialists for your child’s complex health diagnosis like cancer.
Meet our team
Your child’s care is our top priority and we understand the unique needs they have. Your child’s team will include:
Oncologists (cancer doctors)
Hematologists (blood disease doctors)
Nurse practitioners
Child life specialists
Pain management specialists
Physical, occupational and speech therapists
Radiologists and radiation technologists
Social workers
Surgeons
Neuro-oncologists
Pediatric neurosurgeons
Radiation oncologists
Neurologists
UW Health Kids Cancer Care experts are dedicated to diagnosing and treating all infants, children and adolescents with cancer, including rare cancers like medulloblastoma.
Our pediatric oncologists are part of the UW Carbone Cancer Center, which is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. This designation means that the doctors taking care of your child are experts in cancer treatment, research and education.
Patient and support services
There are services available at both American Family Children’s Hospital and in the community to help patients and their families through every step of their journey.
Child life specialists help your child and family cope with any fears and anxieties, and the American Family Children's Hospital patient and family visitor guide features information about:
Health psychology
Hero beads
Hospital school
Positive Image Center
Spiritual care services
Tyler's Place (sibling child care)
With our expertise comes compassion. Our team considers you and your child part of our family. We will be by your side every step of the way. From diagnosis through treatment and into adulthood, we will care for your child as if they are our own.
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