Current treatments of medulloblastoma

Purpose of review The biological knowledge and the new biopathological classification of medulloblastoma subtypes have dramatically changed the therapeutic indications, taking into account not only age and staging but also biopathological risk criteria. This review covers the multidisciplinary approach including surgery, radiation oncology and medical treatments. Recent findings The neurosurgical management of tumor-related hydrocephalus has been modified by the introduction of third ventriculostomy. The initial complete excision is no longer always the first choice, to preserve neurological function. The recent technical improvements of radiotherapy are also implemented to optimize outcome in terms of survival as well as quality of survival. The different medical treatments are adapted according to age and risk factors. The role of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell rescue has become larger in the high-risk situations. The rarity of the disease and the high-level of technicity of diagnosis, biopathological subtyping and treatments justifies the referral of these patients to highly specialized centers where all these techniques can be routinely applied, most often in the context of international prospective studies.

Automated summary

The review highlights the importance of the new biopathological classification of medulloblastoma subtypes on therapeutic indications, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach including surgery, radiation oncology, and medical treatments. It also discusses recent technical improvements in neurosurgery and radiotherapy, as well as adaptation of medical treatments based on age and risk factors. Referral to specialized centers for diagnosis, biopathological subtyping, and treatment is justified due to the rarity of the disease and high level of technicity involved.