Posterior fossa medulloblastoma in children and young adults (0-19 years): survival and performance

Childs Nerv Syst. 1999 Sep;15(9):451-5; discussion 456. doi: 10.1007/s003810050437.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to present survival data and outcome status in the long-term survivors of a consecutive series of 111 children and young adults treated for posterior fossa medulloblastoma in our departments from 1960 to 1997. The total surgical mortality was 13%. The surgical mortality rate declined significantly during the time period overall, from 23% before 1970 to 0% after 1990. The 5-year survival rate for patients treated between 1960 and 1973 was 0%, while 5-year survival for patients treated after the introduction of systematic craniospinal radiation in 1974 was 53%. Thirty-four patients were alive at the close of this study, with a mean observation time of 13.5 years. Over half, 61%, of the patients had one or more major deficits/problems with respect to learning ability, power of locomotion, sociability, hobbies and relationships with the opposite sex. A younger age at the time of treatment was correlated with larger deficits/problems in these variables. The correlation between young age at the time of treatment and short final height was significant. The frequency of a second neoplasm was 14%. In all but 3 cases the major cause of permanent deficits/problems was radiation therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Body Height
  • Body Weight
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / surgery
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Karnofsky Performance Status
  • Learning
  • Locomotion
  • Male
  • Medulloblastoma / mortality*
  • Medulloblastoma / physiopathology*
  • Medulloblastoma / radiotherapy
  • Medulloblastoma / surgery
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / etiology
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Survival Analysis
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome