Medulloblastoma Health Article

Clinical trials

There are many clinical trials being done to help better the treatment options for medulloblastoma. Some of the most promising ones are studies in which peripheral stem cell transplantation is used. This is a technique in which certain cells in the body known as stem cells are used to replace other, depleted cells, such as the immune cells and blood cells that are destroyed when chemotherapy is used. It is hoped that with stem cell use, physicians will be able to use higher doses of chemotherapy in order to destroy the medulloblastoma cancer.

Prevention

There are currently no known ways to prevent medulloblastoma. Those who have the very rare genetic disorders which predisposes them to medulloblastoma, Gorlin's and Turcot's syndrome, should be especially aware of any signs or symptoms of medulloblastomas. Children of parents with these genetic disorders should have routine screening done by a pediatrician for any signs of a brain tumor.

See Also Bone marrow transplantation; Childhood cancers

Resources

BOOKS

Abeloff, Martin, James O. Armitage, Allen S. Lichter, and John E. Niederhuber. Clinical Oncology. New York: ChurchillLivingstone, 2000.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Brain Tumor Association. Suite 146, 2720 River Rd., Des Plaines, IL 60018. (800) 886-2282. <http://www.abta.org>.

National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. Building31, Room 10A31, 31 Center Dr., MSC 2580, Bethesda, MD20892-2580. (800) 4-CANCER. <http://www.nci.nih.gov>.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 332 N. Lauderdale St., Memphis, TN 38105. (901) 495-3300. <http://www.stjude.org>.

OTHER

National Cancer Institute Cancer Trials. 23 July 2001 <http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov>.

Edward R. Rosick, D.O., M.P.H.

Ataxia

—The inability to perform voluntary, coordinated muscular movements.

Cerebellum

—The portion of the brain lying superior to the spinal cord, involved in coordinating voluntary muscular movements.

Chemotherapy

—The application of certain medicinal chemicals to treat specific diseases, including cancer.

Radiation therapy

—The use of high-energy ionizing radiation in the treatment of cancerous tumors.