[Adult medulloblastoma. Review of 22 patients].
OBJECTIVE
Medulloblastoma is a malignant neuro-ectodermal tumor classically considered as a pediatric tumor. Adult medulloblastoma is rare. This low incidence results in a lack of data concerning the management of treatment. We report our experience and propose a review of the literature to clarify the main therapeutic options that are nowadays suggested.


METHODS
We reviewed 22 adult patients treated for cerebellar medulloblastoma between 1979 and 1999. Actuarial relapse-free and overall survival were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognosis factors were studied by Log- Rank test.


RESULTS
The five years relapse free and overall survival rates were respectively 63.1% and 81.3%. These rates are superior to those reported in the literature. None of the studied factors (age, gender, histological subtype, total or partial surgery, presence of a CSF derivation device, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) were significantly associated to remission or survival. However our statistical results should be interpreted with caution in this small population.


CONCLUSIONS
Adult medulloblastoma prognosis seems to improve since chemotherapy has been introduced in the therapeutic protocols. Prospective and multicentric studies should determine the exact pattern of treatment.
Département de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital Central, Nancy.
S
S
Coulbois
T
T
Civit
Y
Y
Grignon
L
L
Taillandier
F
F
Girard
C
C
Marchal
C
C
Pinelli
J
J
Auque
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis