Medulloblastoma Treatment Cost in India

Medulloblastoma is a type of cancerous tumor that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It develops in the cerebellum, which is located in the posterior fossa region of your brain. There are at least four types of medulloblastoma known to exist based on different types of gene mutations. Medulloblastoma is not inherited, but syndromes such as Gorlin’s syndrome or Turcot’s syndrome can increase the risk. Usually, treatment of Medulloblastoma includes surgery followed by either radiation or chemotherapy or sometimes both. Which are treated by the best doctor that is specialized in medulloblastoma. Medulloblastoma treatment in India is generally done with surgery, followed by either radiation or chemotherapy, or both. The inherited condition is treated by the best doctors in India who are medulloblastoma specialists.

The cost of medulloblastoma treatment in India is quite high, but it is less than one-third of the cost of the same procedure in the United States, Europe, and other countries. The average hospital stay is 4-6 days, and in India, it is approximately 3 weeks.

What is Medulloblastoma?

Medulloblastoma is a cancerous (malignant) brain tumor that begins in the cerebellum, which is located in the tailbone of the brain. Muscle coordination, balance, and movement are all controlled by the cerebellum.

Medulloblastoma spreads to other parts of the brain and spinal cord via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. This tumor rarely spreads to other parts of the body.

Medulloblastoma can develop at any age, but it is most common in young children. Despite its rare commodity, medulloblastoma is the most common cancerous brain tumor in children. Children must be seen at a centre that has a team of pediatric specialists with expertise and experience in pediatric brain tumors, as well as access to cutting-edge technology and pediatric treatments.

There are four types of medulloblastoma:

• Classical medulloblastoma
• Anaplastic or large cell medulloblastoma.
• Nodular or desmoplastic medulloblastoma 
• Medulloblastoma with extension nodularity (MBEN)

Medulloblastoma can be grouped into 4 sub-types:

• Subtype 1- wingless (WNT) medulloblastoma
• Subtype 2- sonic hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma
• Subtype 3- group 3 medulloblastoma
• Subtype 4- group 4 medulloblastoma.

Consult your child’s doctor about the types of medulloblastoma that your child may have and the process for your child’s treatment.  

What are the Symptoms of Medulloblastoma?

A child can have symptoms for weeks or months before they are diagnosed with medulloblastoma and most of the time the symptoms are general and non-specific. Symptoms  of medulloblastoma may include:

• Headaches in the morning and night
• Feeling or being sick – being sick frequently agitates headaches.
• Eye problems and double vision
• Finding it difficult to sit or stand unsupported – the child may frequently fall backward, and walking may become more difficult and appear different.
• Being more fractious or irritable – it may take longer than usual to calm down your young child.
• Appetite loss
• A transition in behavior- less interaction with you or their siblings
• Vomiting and nausea
• Controlling bladder and bowel function issues
• Back pain.
• Seizures.

Sometimes symptoms found during a young infant’s routine development check-up are a head circumference (i.e.increasing head size) of the infant or a soft spot on top of the skull (fontanelle) that might be swollen. The symptoms can be different depending on the child’s age and development.

What are the Causes of Medulloblastoma Tumor?

The exact cause of medulloblastoma is unknown. However, there are some genetic conditions that may increase your or your child’s risk of developing the condition, such as:

• BRCA1 gene mutations: The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes produce proteins that aid in the repair of damaged DNA. People who inherit certain variants of these genes are at a higher risk of developing a variety of cancers. These people are also more likely to get cancer at a younger age.
• Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS): This hereditary condition, also known as Gorlin syndrome, is characterized by several basal cell skin cancers. NBCCS patients have a 5% chance of developing medulloblastoma.
• Turcot syndrome: It is a hereditary disease characterized by colorectal (colon) cancer and primary brain tumors. Gene mutations are to blame. Turcot syndrome is characterized by colorectal cancer as well as a tumor in the central nervous system, such as a medulloblastoma or pituitary adenoma.

How Diagnosis of Medulloblastoma is Done?

The doctor will always begin the diagnosis with a review of the patient’s medical history and a discussion of the signs and symptoms. Many tests and procedures are used to diagnose medulloblastoma, including the following:

• Tumor type suspected
• Symptoms and signs in children
• Age of the child and general age
• And the outcomes of previous or previous medical tests

In addition to the physical examination, the following test can also be used to diagnose medulloblastoma:

• Biopsy: A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for microscopic examination. The only way to make a definitive diagnosis is to examine the tumor tissue removed during a biopsy via surgery. A pathologist then examines the samples.
• Surgical removal of the tumor: During surgery, the neurosurgeon removes as much of the tumor as possible. A pathologist examines a sample of the removed tissue.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests are used to help in determining the location and size of a brain tumor. These tests are absolutely essential because they can detect pressure or blockage in the CSF pathways. If necessary, a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be performed right away. They are frequently used to diagnose brain tumors. Perfusion MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy are also used as advanced techniques.
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): A lumbar puncture is a procedure that uses a needle to extract a sample of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to test for tumor markers, blood, cancer cells, or other abnormalities. After reducing brain pressure and removing the tumor, a lumbar puncture test is performed.

After all diagnoses and tests are done, doctors will review the result. If the diagnosis result comes as medulloblastoma, the given result will help to identify or describe the type of tumor.