A medulloblastoma is a type of tumour called a PNET (a Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour).

Medulloblastomas develop in the cerebellum but may spread to other parts of the brain and the spinal column through the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). 

What causes it?

The causes of a medulloblastoma are unknown. This is the case with lots of brain cancers.

What are the symptoms?

Having lots of headaches, nausea and vomiting and problems with vision are all symptoms of a medulloblastoma. This is due to the tumour taking up space in the head, which can cause swelling (know as increased intracranial pressure – ICP)

As the cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls muscle coordination, a tumour in this area may cause problems with balance, coordination and walking. Speech can also be affected, and words may be slurred or muddled.

If the tumour has spread to the spinal cord, symptoms may include back pain, difficulty walking and problems with bowel or bladder control.

TIP: If you have any of these symptoms you should have them checked by your doctor - but remember, they are common to many illnesses other than a medulloblastoma.

How is it diagnosed?

After visiting your GP you will probably be referred to a hospital for some tests. These may include:

• Neurological examination
• X-rays
• Blood test
• Biopsy
• MRI
• CT scan
• Lumbar puncture. This is to determine if there are any cancer cells in the CSF.

If the results of the test show the presence of a medulloblastoma, you will be referred to a doctor who specialises in the treatment of diseases of the brain, (called a neurologist), a neurosurgeon (a brain surgeon) and an oncologist (cancer doctor).


How are medulloblastomas treated?
Your team of doctors and other staff at the hospital will plan your treatment. It will depend on the size of the tumour and where it is. You may be treated by an oncologist(a doctor who specialises in treating cancer with chemotherapy) a neurosurgeon (a surgeon who specialises in brain surgery) and a radiologist (a doctor who specialises in treating cancer with radiation).

Treatment may involve

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy

Steroids may also be given to decrease the swelling caused by the tumour.

Surgery for a medulloblastoma

The aim of surgery is to remove as much tumour as is possible. A medulloblastoma may block the ventricles (draining tubes) in the brain, causing a build up of CSF. Often a shunt or drain is then inserted to drain the excess fluid away.  

It can be very difficult to remove the entire tumour, so radiotherapy and chemotherapy are given after surgery.

Some tumours may not be treatable through surgery and your doctor will talk with you about other forms of treatment.

For more information about surgery, go to our surgery fact sheet.

Radiotherapy for a medulloblastoma

Radiotherapy may be used to destroy any remaining tumour that is not removed through surgery. As a medulloblastoma may spread o the spinal cord, radiotherapy is given to both the brain and spinal cord.

If the patient is a child under 4 years, then radiotherapy is not generally used as treatment.

For more information about radiotherapy, go to our radiotherapy fact sheet.

Chemotherapy for a medulloblastoma
Chemotherapy may be used to shrink the size of the tumour and to get rid of any cancer cells around the body. If the patient is a young child, then chemotherapy may be given instead of radiotherapy.

For more information about chemotherapy, go to our chemotherapy fact sheet.

Side effects

There are some side effects of the treatments for a medulloblastoma. Information can be found in our side effects fact sheets.