Modern treatment strategies in medulloblastoma.
Chemotherapy has an important role in the modern treatment of children with medulloblastoma (MB). In patients at high risk, intense chemotherapy should improve the survival rate. In low-risk patients chemotherapy should allow the dose of craniospinal irradiation to be reduced, which in turn should improve the quality of life. In infants under 3 years of age radiotherapy should be delayed, or even replaced by postoperative chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is also necessary to prevent or treat systemic dissemination. The optimal timing of chemotherapy is a focus of contemporary research.
Kühl
J
J
Paediatric Oncology/Haematology Section, Children's Hospital, University of Würzburg, Germany. kuehl@rzkli.uni-wuerzburg.de
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016896:Treatment Outcome