Experiences in treating medulloblastoma at the University of Minnesota Hospitals

Forty three cases of medulloblastoma were reviewed to determine the survival rate and response to irradiation. Cases were analyzed for age distribution, major presenting signs and symptoms, initial diagnostic evaluation, and initial therapy. Increased intracranial pressure was found to be the most common cause of the initial symptoms. Ventriculography was the preferred diagnostic technique. Initial surgery should be performed to establish the diagnosis and the presence of CSF flow, followed by irradiation with 3,600 rads to the CNS plus 1,400 rads to the brain. Radioactive gold gives a high incidence of cauda equina syndrome and has not been shown to increase survival.