04/09/2026
Dankie tannie Lizel - Radio 33 Presenter vir bewusmaking! Dankie dat tannie al so lank deel is van my journey
🧠🎗️LET’S TALK ABOUT MEDULLOBLASTOMA
Medulloblastoma is a malignant, fast-growing tumour of the central nervous system and is the most common malignant brain tumour in children. It develops in the cerebellum, located at the back and lower part of the brain, which plays an important role in balance, coordination and movement. Medulloblastomas are classified as WHO grade 4 tumours, meaning they are cancerous and can grow quickly. Although they are particularly important in childhood cancer, medulloblastoma can also occur in adults.
🧠 Where does it begin?
The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating many of the body's movements. When a tumour develops there, it can interfere with balance and coordination. Medulloblastoma can also obstruct the normal circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). When this happens, fluid can build up inside the brain, causing hydrocephalus and increased pressure inside the skull. This is one reason why headaches, nausea and vomiting can be prominent symptoms.
🚨 What signs and symptoms should parents know?
Symptoms vary depending on the child's age, the tumour's location and whether it is affecting the flow of CSF. Possible symptoms include:
🔹 Headaches, particularly headaches that are worse in the morning
🔹 Nausea and vomiting
🔹 Problems with balance or walking
🔹 Unsteadiness or poor coordination
🔹 Difficulty with fine motor movements
🔹 Unusual tiredness or sleepiness
🔹 Changes in behaviour or energy levels
🔹 Double or blurred vision
🔹 Abnormal eye movements
🔹 Seizures
🔹 Weakness
🔹 Difficulty speaking
If the tumour has spread to the spinal cord, a child may experience back or spinal pain, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, or changes in bowel or bladder function.
In babies and very young children, the signs can be different and sometimes much less obvious. Parents may notice irritability, feeding difficulties, developmental delays, loss of previously acquired developmental skills, unusual sleepiness or an increase in head size.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean a child has a brain tumour. Many childhood illnesses can cause headaches, vomiting, tiredness or changes in behaviour. However, persistent, unusual or worsening symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
🔬 How is medulloblastoma diagnosed?
Doctors usually use MRI scans of the brain and spine to look for the tumour and determine whether it has spread. When possible, surgery is performed to remove as much of the tumour as can safely be removed. Tissue from the tumour is examined by a specialist neuropathologist to confirm the diagnosis.
Modern diagnosis goes beyond simply looking at the tumour under a microscope. Molecular and genetic testing can identify characteristics of the tumour that help doctors understand its behaviour and plan treatment.
🧬 There isn't just one type of medulloblastoma
This is an important part of modern medulloblastoma care. Researchers have identified major molecular groups, including:
WNT-activated
SHH-activated
Group 3
Group 4
The WHO classification now further distinguishes SHH tumours according to their TP53 status, while Group 3 and Group 4 fall under the broader non-WNT/non-SHH category in the current classification. These molecular characteristics can influence prognosis and treatment decisions.
🩺 How is it treated?
Treatment is individualised. Doctors consider the child's age, molecular tumour group, how much tumour could be removed, whether the tumour has spread and other biological characteristics.
Treatment may include:
🧠 Surgery – to remove as much of the tumour as can safely be removed and obtain tissue for diagnosis.
💊 Chemotherapy – medicines used to destroy or control cancer cells.
☢️ Radiation therapy – because medulloblastoma can spread through the CSF, radiation may involve the brain and spinal cord in children for whom it is appropriate.
🩸 High-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell rescue – used in selected situations.
🎯 Targeted therapies – treatments directed at particular molecular features are being studied and may be appropriate for some patients, particularly in recurrent disease.
🧪 Clinical trials – research continues to develop treatments that are more effective while reducing long-term side effects.
👶 Why is age so important?
Treatment for a very young child can be different from treatment for an older child. Radiation can have significant effects on a developing brain, so doctors may use different strategies in younger children to delay or reduce radiation where appropriate. Treatment decisions are complex and depend on many factors, including the tumour's biology and whether it has spread.
💛 What about the future?
There have been significant advances in understanding medulloblastoma, particularly through molecular research. However, treatment can be intensive and survivors may experience long-term effects related to the tumour itself or treatment, which can include difficulties involving learning, hormones, hearing, movement, growth or other aspects of development. Long-term follow-up is therefore an important part of care.
The outlook is different for every child. Factors such as molecular group, age at diagnosis, whether the tumour has spread, how much tumour remains after surgery and response to treatment all influence prognosis.
🎗️ SEPTEMBER — CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Medulloblastoma is just one of the many cancers that can affect children. During September, Radio33 Little Soldiers is shining a light on childhood cancer in all its forms—because childhood cancer is not one disease, and every diagnosis represents a child and a family whose lives can change in an instant.
Let's learn the signs.
Let's raise awareness.
Let's support research.
Let's stand beside families.
And let's never stop fighting for our Little Soldiers. 💛🎗️
Every child. Every fight. Every victory.
WE STAND TOGETHER.
