Medulloblastoma - Childhood: Introduction

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 09/2023

ON THIS PAGE: You will find some basic information about childhood medulloblastoma and the parts of the body it may affect. This is the first page of Cancer.Net’s Guide to Childhood Medulloblastoma. Use the menu to see other pages. Think of that menu as a roadmap for this entire guide.

About the central nervous system and brain tumors

The brain and spinal column make up the central nervous system (CNS), which is where all vital functions are controlled, including thought, speech, and body strength.

A brain tumor begins when healthy cells in the brain change and grow out of control, forming a mass. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.

About medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a type of brain tumor. Medulloblastoma begins in different cells in the cerebellum, which is the back of the brain. The cerebellum controls body movement and coordination.

Medulloblastoma occurs most commonly in children, and this section is about childhood medulloblastoma. It is the most common cancerous brain tumor in children. Learn more about other types of CNS tumors in children and brain tumors in adults.

An illustration of the brain

Looking for More of an Introduction?

If you would like more of an introduction, explore these related items. Please note that these links will take you to other sections on Cancer.Net:

The next section in this guide is Statistics. It helps explain the number of children who are diagnosed with medulloblastoma and general survival rates. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.