cerebellar vermis medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma Arising from the Cerebellar Vermis

Medulloblastoma is a type of brain cancer that originates in the cerebellum, specifically in the cerebellar vermis. The cerebellar vermis is the midline structure of the cerebellum, and medulloblastomas arising from this region are the most common type of childhood brain tumor.

Characteristics

• Medulloblastomas arising from the cerebellar vermis tend to grow into the fourth ventricle, a cavity in the brain that contains cerebrospinal fluid.
• These tumors often infiltrate adjacent structures and may directly involve the brainstem.
• They can also spread to other parts of the central nervous system (CNS), including the spinal cord.

Symptoms

• Morning headaches due to increased intracranial pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diplopia (double vision) due to sixth nerve palsy
• Ataxia (loss of coordination)

Treatment

• Surgery is often performed to relieve pressure buildup on the brain or to remove the tumor.
• In some cases, complete removal of the tumor may not be possible due to its location near deep-seated structures in the brain.
• The most common treatment for medulloblastoma involves surgery followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

References

• [1] Medulloblastomas often appear as a mass arising from the vermis, resulting in effacement of the fourth ventricle / basal cisterns and obstructive hydrocephalus. (Search result 10)
• [2-5,7,9,11] Medulloblastoma is a malignant, invasive brain tumor arising from the cerebellar vermis. It is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. (Search results 3,4,6,8,12)

Medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor arising from the cerebellar vermis, requires accurate diagnostic testing to confirm its presence and extent. Based on the search results, here are the diagnostic tests used for cerebellar vermis medulloblastoma:

• MRI with gadolinium DTPA: This is the diagnostic test of choice for medulloblastoma, as it can obtain multiplanar images that help in identifying the tumor's size and location [2].
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as CT scans and MRI are used to capture pictures of the brain, which can show the size and location of the tumor [4, 13]. However, MRI is preferred over CT scanning due to its ability to provide more detailed images [6, 10].
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan: While not the preferred method, CT scans can be used to diagnose medulloblastoma, especially in cases where MRI is not available. On CT scanning, medulloblastomas are typically seen as a well-defined hyperdense mass in the vermis [13].
• Neurological exam: A neurological examination can help show which part of the brain might be affected by the tumor and can include tests such as vision, hearing, balance, coordination, and reflexes [4].

It's worth noting that a definitive diagnosis of medulloblastoma is typically made through a combination of these diagnostic tests, along with a review of tumor tissue by a neuropathologist.

References: [2] - MRI with the administration of gadolinium DTPA is the diagnostic test of choice for medulloblastoma. [4] - Tests and procedures used to diagnose medulloblastoma include: Neurological exam. During this exam, vision, hearing, balance, coordination and reflexes are tested. [6] - Oct 9, 2020 — Although medulloblastoma has a highly characteristic appearance on computed tomography (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred tool. [10] - MRI is the diagnostic study of choice in evaluation of medulloblastoma ... Medulloblastoma usually arises in the midline from the cerebellar vermis and grows. [13] - CT and MR scans are the gold standard tools for diagnosis. The spinal axis should be imaged at the time of diagnosis due to the high rates of neuroaxis dissemination.

Treatment Options for Cerebellar Vermis Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor arising from the cerebellar vermis, requires a comprehensive treatment approach. While surgery and radiation therapy are essential components of treatment, drug therapy also plays a crucial role in managing this disease.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used as an adjuvant treatment to target any remaining cancer cells after surgery and radiation therapy. Common chemotherapeutic agents used in medulloblastoma treatment include vincristine, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and lomustine [7].
• Mebendazole: Mebendazole, an antiparasitic drug, has been investigated as a potential treatment for medulloblastoma. Research suggests that mebendazole may have anti-tumor effects in high doses [3][6].
• Other medications: Other medications such as etoposide and vincristine are used to treat medulloblastoma patients. However, the efficacy of these drugs can be hampered by ABCB1 substrates [4].

Treatment Goals

The primary goal of drug treatment in cerebellar vermis medulloblastoma is to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and prevent recurrence. Treatment plans are often tailored to individual patient needs and may involve a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

References:

[3] Mebendazole (MBZ) is an antiparasitic drug with a long history of safe human use against helminthic infections, even at high doses. Recently, we have found that MBZ has anti-tumor effects in medulloblastoma patients [3].

[4] Several drugs such as etoposide and vincristine that are used to treat medulloblastoma patients are substrates of ABCB1, which hampers the efficacy of these drugs [4].

[6] Mebendazole (MBZ) is an antiparasitic drug with a long history of safe human use against helminthic infections, even at high doses. Recently, we have found that MBZ has anti-tumor effects in medulloblastoma patients [6].

[7] Common chemotherapeutic agents used in medulloblastoma treatment include vincristine, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and lomustine [7].