title: Characteristics and outcomes of medulloblastoma in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adult medulloblastoma is a rare disease for which there is no internationally accepted standard of care. Treatment regimens have typically been modeled after pediatric protocols. We sought to review the presentation, management, and outcome of patients with adult medulloblastoma treated at the McGill University teaching hospitals over the past 18 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records were reviewed to gather demographic and clinical data including presenting symptoms, tumor characteristics, management, survival, and treatment toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five patients were identified. Eleven patients were female and 14 were male. The median age at diagnosis was 30 (range 17-48). Our 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 78% and 30%, respectively. Median OS was 108 months and median progression-free survival time was 63 months. Age, sex, risk, stage, extent of resection, chemotherapy and time between surgery and adjuvant therapy did not significantly influence survival outcomes. The most frequently reported adverse events included sensory neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, febrile neutropenia, and radiation dermatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adult medulloblastoma has distinct characteristics from the pediatric population including presentation in the lateral cerebellar hemispheres. Late relapses, especially in the posterior fossa, are a significant problem. Further follow-up will be required to ascertain the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Celina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hauerstock
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Guiot
authors.forename: Goulnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kasymjanova
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roberge
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kavan
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muanza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome