Staging

Staging is a way of describing a tumor, such as its size, where it is located, if or where it has spread, and if it is affecting the functions of other organs in the body. Doctors use diagnostic tests to determine the cancer’s stage, so staging may not be complete until all of the tests are finished. Knowing the stage helps the doctor to decide what kind of treatment is best and can help predict a patient’s prognosis (chance of recovery). There are different stage descriptions for different types of cancer.

Medulloblastoma in children is classified as either standard (average) risk or high risk, depending on the following factors: the child’s age, how much of the cancer remains after surgery, and whether the tumor has spread.

Standard-risk tumor. A standard-risk tumor occurs in children older than age three. The tumor is able to be almost completely removed during surgery, meaning that less than 1.5 cubic centimeters of the tumor remains after surgery. The tumor is in the very back part of the brain and has not spread.

High-risk tumor. A high-risk tumor occurs in children of any age. This type of tumor has either spread to other parts of the brain or the spine, or it has not spread but more than 1.5 cubic centimeters of tumor remains after surgery.

Recurrent tumor. A recurrent tumor is a tumor that comes back after treatment. It may recur in the brain, spine, or elsewhere in the body.