title: Posterior Fossa Intra-Axial Tumors in Adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The posterior fossa is the site of many types of tumors, and brain metastases are the most common malignancies in that location among adults. Other brain tumors, such as ependymomas, medulloblastomas, and juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas, mostly occur during childhood and are relatively rare in adults. Most primary malignant brain tumors, such as gliomas and lymphomas, tend to be located in the supratentorial compartment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes prognostic factors, therapeutic management, and molecular data of intra-axial posterior fossa tumors in adults, including ependymomas, medulloblastomas, and pilocytic astrocytomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature on intra-axial posterior fossa tumors in adults relies mainly on limited retrospective clinical studies, and such studies employ a wide range of treatment approaches that are usually based on therapies developed specifically for children or for supratentorial brain tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical course and surgical outcome of adult patients with intra-axial brain tumors in the posterior fossa are summarized in this review. The prognostic factors and therapeutic management of patients with these tumors are controversial because of their rarity, their heterogeneity, and the lack of sufficient data in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: rachelgr@tasmc.health.gov.il.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Zvi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ram
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015192:Infratentorial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Brain tumors; Ependymomas; Gliomas; Lymphomas; Medulloblastomas; Outcome; Pilocytic astrocytomas; Posterior fossa