Medulloblastoma is a specific kind of brain tumour that usually affects children.

Cells within the brain ordinarily grow in the normal way, but in the case of a tumour, this order has been disrupted and cells carry on dividing and form a lump or tumour.

Not all tumours are malignant, some can be benign and although they may still continue growing, they do not spread.

Tumours that affect the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) are reasonably rare (although they are becoming far more frequent.

Brain tumours are usually named after the cells that they develop from. Medulloblastomas are malignant tumours that form from cells that have not developed properly during the earliest stages of life. They form in the cerebellum but they may spread and affect other areas of the brain.

In very rare circumstances, a Medulloblastoma can spread to other parts of the body. If Medulloblastomas spread to other parts of the brain or spinal cord, they do so through the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal card.

This type of cancer is more common in children, most notably between the ages of 3 and 8. About 20% (1 fifth) of children's brain tumours consist of Medulloblastomas. They are more prevalent in boys than girls. They can also occur in adults, but this is much rarer still.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of a brain tumour are normally caused by increased pressure inside the skull. This can be caused by a blockage in the fluid filled spaces in the brain which can lead to a build up of that fluid or by causing a swelling around the tumour itself.

The increased pressure can cause headaches, vomiting and sight problems. Vomiting usually happens first thing in the morning. Children tend to be tired, weak and irritable. There can also be noticeable changes in personality and behaviour.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls muscle coordination. A malignancy in this area may cause motor problems, particularly walking. A walk in an awkward or uncoordinated or stumbling way is observed. Speech is also affected and words may be slurred or muddled.

Other symptoms specifically associated with Medulloblastoma are jerky eye movements, stiffness in the neck and weakness of the muscles.

Symptoms depend of the size and location of the tumour.

Testing

Neurological examination will assess the effect of the tumour on the nervous system

A CT Scan takes a number of x-rays which build up a 3 dimensional image of the inside of the body. The scan in painless but takes 10 – 30 minutes to complete. The individual being scanned should not eat of drink for a least 4 hours before the scan begins. An injection of iodine may also be used to allow particular areas of the body to be seen more clearly. It is important to inform the medical professional if the patient is allergic or has asthma.

MRI – Similar to a CT scan, but uses magnetism rather than X-rays to build up the image of the patients body.

During the scan, the patient must lie very still for about 30 minutes. It is painless but uncomfortable and noisy.

A Biopsy is used to give an exact diagnosis. A sample of cells is taken and then examined under the microscope. This method involves an operation.

Lumbar Puncture is a procedure where the back of the patient is numbed with a local anaestetic and a needle is inserted through the skin so that a small sample of the spinal fluid can be removed for tests. The fluid can be examined to see if there are tumour cells present. An MRI scan can also show this.

Treatment

Medulloblastomas are treated using a combination of Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. In the UK , this treatment approach is only 20% effective. 80 out of 100 patients die of Medulloblastoma within 5 years.

Causes

Although, the establishment claims that they still don't know the cause of cancer, there is a wealth of information on the subject and it all points to the same things. I.E – Processed food containing very little actual nutrition and packed full of toxic chemicals designed to make the product last longer on the shelves. The quality of air is a large factor. The radiation emitted from all kinds of electrical devices such as Wireless computers, TVs, microwave ovens, mobile phones and mobile phone antennae masts, overhead and underground power cables. Microwave ovens also contribute to cancers in so much as they destroy the important organic molecules needed by the body. After microwaving a meal, the food is essential ‘Dead', with all of the nutritional value destroyed. The amount of Refined sugars in our food is also a massive consideration in the cause of cancer and indeed, if a person already has cancer, eating refined sugar is like pouring petrol on a fire.

It is a little known fact that in 1931, a German Scientist, Physiologist, Medical Doctor & Cell Biologist named Otto Warburg was awarded a Nobel prize in medicine for discovering the prime cause of Cancer!!! – Namely that Cancer cells are anaerobic (they operate in the absence of Oxygen). Essentially, what this is means is that Cancer cells produce energy by using fermentation, - which is why refined sugar is such a dangerous substance, since cancer cells use it in the fermentation process.