Dear Vanessa,
As you may know, Medulloblastoma is the commonest "malignant" brain tumor in children. The problem
with medulloblastoma is that is usually arises in the ventricular cavity (mostly the fourth ventricle) of the
brain. The ventricular cavities have the cerebro-spinal fluid which freely flows from the brain up to the end
of the spinal cord.
Being of a malignant nature, the medulloblastoma cells can migrate through this cerebrospinal fluid! Hence, it
is very easy for the tumor to spread. This is the reason the tumor has come back quickly.
A surgical resection of the tumor does not guarantee removal of all the cells. Even a small number of cells
left behind can spread to other parts and the tumor can grow again. And with a recurrence and spread, it grows
at other parts of the brain. Post surgical radiation therapy is known to help. I wonder if the radiation
therapy was given to him.
There are a lot of chemotherapeutic trials going on and newer chemotherapy agents and better radiation
techniques are coming up. These are specifically directed towards reducing the risk of cancer spread and
growth.
I can understand you are worried for your son. But do not lose hope. And please do not give up at any stage.
Your courage is his life. Let your son's fight with the tumor be a success story you can tell others with
pride.
Regards
