Medulloblastoma is a scary word and one which no parent would ever want to hear. It is a sort of brain tumour that mainly affects kids. Can you imagine being told that your child has a tumour in their brain—it is the worst nightmare. It is the reality faced by many families.
Let us go through this disease, understand it better, and learn how we can support those affected by it.
What is Medulloblastoma brain tumor?
Medulloblastoma is a kind of cancer that grows in the brain also called as a type of brain tumor. It mainly occurs in children. Such a tumour is very aggressive and spreads to other areas of the brain and sometimes even to the spinal cord.
Since medulloblastoma is one of the most aggressive kinds of brain cancer, in its early stages, doctors have the opportunity to stop the tumour from growing and spreading. Early treatment gives better possibilities for a patient to recover successfully. Monitor a child’s health, and take them to see a doctor if you notice anything unusual.
What are the Types of medulloblastoma?
Medulloblastoma aren’t all the same. Top Neurosurgeon have different ways to group them.
One way to group them is by how they look under a microscope:
- Classic medulloblastoma: This is the most common type.
- Anaplastic or large cell medulloblastoma: This type has larger and more abnormal cells.
- Nodular or desmoplastic medulloblastoma: This type has small, round nodules.
- Medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity (MBEN): This type has even more nodules.
Another way to group them is by looking at the genes inside the tumour cells:
- WNT-activated medulloblastoma: It is the least aggressive of the subtypes.
- Sonic Hedgehog–activated medulloblastoma: This variant may be more aggressive.
- Group 3 Medulloblastoma: This is the most aggressive variant.
- Group 4 medulloblastoma: This type is also very aggressive.
Whatt causus the Development of medulloblastoma?
Scientists aren’t exactly sure what causes medulloblastoma. It seems to happen when something goes wrong with the cells in the brain that are still growing and developing. These cells start to grow out of control and form a tumour.
What are the Symptoms and diagnosis of Medulloblastoma?
Medulloblastoma symptoms often start slowly and can be easy to miss. Some common symptoms include:
- Headache: These are typically worse in the morning.
- Inflammation: This is not caused by allergies.
- Dizziness or balance problems: Children may walk with unsteadiness.
- Vision problems: This can mean blurred vision or double vision.
- Behavioural changes: These include mood swings, irritability, and an inability to concentrate or pay attention.
- Shock or weakness: This is extremely rare.
A few different types of tests can be used by doctors to diagnose medulloblastoma:
- MRI: Detailed images of the brain are obtained.
- CT scan: This involves X-rays being taken from multiple sources, and then a computer compiles them into a detailed three-dimensional image.
- Lumbar puncture: A needle inserted into the spine in the lower back can collect cerebrospinal fluid for analysis.
- Biopsy: This is the removal of a small portion of the tumour to be studied microscopically.
Brain tumor Treatment in Delhi: Medulloblastoma treatment
Medulloblastoma treatment in Delhi have to be decided according to the variety of tumours, their size, and the child’s general health. Quite often, therapies are combined.
Brain tumor surgery in Delhi
If it is possible to remove the tumour safely, surgeons will begin the treatment process. The goal is to remove as much of the tumour as possible without damage to other healthy tissue in the brain.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation kills cancer cells with high-energy rays. It is commonly given after surgery to destroy cancer cells that may remain. It may also be provided as primary treatment if surgery is not possible.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given through a vein, as a pill, or directly into the spinal fluid.
Targeted Therapy
This treatment uses drugs to attack specific cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
Stem Cell Transplantation
It is a complex treatment that replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells. It’s used in some cases of medulloblastoma.
Supportive Care
Along with these treatments, supportive care is essential. It includes:
- Pain management
- Nutrition
- Emotional support
Is it possible to Live with medulloblastomas?
Barriers faced by patients and families
For patients and their families, medulloblastoma makes life a daunting challenge. There are often physical, emotional, and financial obstacles along the way. Patients may experience adverse clinical side effects such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss and cognitive complications. These challenges can affect their daily lives, school, and socialising.
Emotional and psychological influences
Medulloblastoma can have a profound emotional and psychological impact on patients and their families. Fear, anxiety, and depression are common feelings. Children may struggle with body image changes, social isolation, and concerns about the future. Parents may experience guilt, anger, and grief.
The emotional support provided by emotional support groups allows one to share experiences with like-minded people, acquire helpful tips on how to cope, and be part of a larger community. Professional counselling also helps individuals determine ways of coping with the disease, reduce anxiety or fear related to it and fulfil their emotional logic.
Medulloblastoma is a challenge that both the patients and their families must endure. It calls for early diagnosis, state-of-the-art therapy as well as relentless support. Although there is still much to learn, ongoing studies provide jobs with some hope for the future. Together, we can change and improve the lives and life conditions of many patients suffering from this disease.