Adult medulloblastoma. Review of 22 patients

Background and purpose. - Medulloblastoma is a malignant neuro-ectodermal t umor classically considered as a pediatric tumor. Adult medulloblastoma is rare. This low incidence results in a lack of data concerning the managemen t of treatment. We report our experience and propose a review of the litera ture to clarify the main therapeutic options that are nowadays suggested. Methods. - We reviewed 22 adult patients treated for cerebellar medulloblas toma between 1979 and 1999 Actuarial relapse-free and overall survival were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognosis factors were studied hy L og- Rank test. Results. - The five years relapse free and overall survival rates were resp ectively 63.1 % and 81.3 %. These rates are superior to those reported in t he literature. None of the studied factors (age, gender, histological subty pe. total or partial surgery, presence of a CSF derivation device, radiothe rapy chemotherapy were significantly associated to remission or survival Ho wever our statistical results should he interpreted with caution in this sm all population. Conclusion. - Adult medulloblastoma prognosis scents to improve since chemo therapy has been introduced in the therapeutic protocols. Prospective and m ulticentric studies should determine the exact pattern of treatment.