Medulloblastoma in late adults. Case report and critical review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Medulloblastoma in late adults (older than 65 years) is an exceptional occurrence; in fact only 8 cases are reported with complete clinical notes in the literature.


METHODS
The authors describe a case of medulloblastoma occurring in a 68-year-old man and analyzed cases reported in the literature.


RESULTS
The overall average age of the patients was 72.8 years (range 67-88 years), and the male prevalence of this tumour (70% of cases) seems to be unrelated to age. There is a lateral predominance in late adults (77.7% of cases). Seven patients underwent operation and subsequently these patients underwent a course of radiation therapy. Only two patient was treated with postoperative chemotherapy. Median survival for seven patients treated was 43.2 months (range 23-96 months).


CONCLUSIONS
It is interesting to note that: 1) histological analysis revealed a classic type medulloblastoma (88.8% of cases) similar to the children: 2) site of the tumor is lateral similar to the adults (77.7% of cases).
Salvati
M
M
Department of Neurosurgery, Mediterranean Neurological Neuromed Institute IRCCS, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy.
Cervoni
L
L
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*