Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma is a malignant brain tumor that begins in the cerebellum and can spread through cerebrospinal fluid. Molecular subgroup, age and disease spread help determine risk and treatment.
Other names and abbreviations
MB, cerebellar PNET, posterior fossa embryonal tumor, Cerebellar primitive neuroectodermal tumour (obsolete umbrella term), medulloblastoma molecular groups
In short
- Medulloblastoma is a brain cancer that starts in the cerebellum and can spread through the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, mostly in children.
- Treatment uses surgery, chemotherapy and radiation matched to age and risk, and some plans for young children use strong chemotherapy to delay or reduce radiation.
- In some plans for young children or for cancer that comes back, high-dose chemotherapy is followed by a return of the patient's own stem cells, not a donor's.
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Where transplant fits
Very strong drug treatment given in large doses, often to kill cancer cells. It also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other serious side effects. A stem cell transplant usually follows to rebuild the marrow. with Coming from the patient's own body. In an autologous transplant, the patient's own stem cells are collected and stored, then given back after high-dose treatment. It does not use a donor. is used in selected young-child or When a disease comes back after a period of getting better. Relapsed disease has returned after treatment helped for a time. protocols. It returns the patient’s own cells and is not a routine indication for an unrelated The soft, spongy tissue in the center of most bones. Red bone marrow holds the blood-forming stem cells that make red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. donor.
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health.
Key facts
- Who it affects
- Medulloblastoma mainly affects children but can occur in adults.
- Usual treatment
- Treatment uses surgery with chemotherapy and age- and risk-adapted radiation. In younger children, some protocols use intensive chemotherapy to delay or reduce radiation exposure; recurrent disease needs an individualized plan.
- Cells used in a transplant
- The patient’s own collected blood-forming cells for autologous stem cell rescue, when that procedure is appropriate.
- Where a donor fits
- Limited transplant role
Support for patients and families
These independent organizations offer information and support. JBF is not affiliated with them.
- American Brain Tumor Association Free CareLine, support groups, mentor programs and financial help for people with brain tumors and their caregivers.United States
- The Brain Tumour Charity Support and info line, online groups, counseling and information packs for children, adults and families affected by a brain tumor.United Kingdom
- Children's Brain Tumor Foundation Support groups, retreats, an educational advocacy program and bereavement support for children with brain and spinal cord tumors and their families.United States
Questions to bring to your care team
- What is the exact name of the diagnosis or subtype, and what does it mean for treatment?
- What is the goal of each treatment you are suggesting?
- What would make a transplant worth considering later on?
- Are there clinical trials that might fit?
- Where can our family find support during treatment?
Sources and further reading
- Childhood Medulloblastoma and Other CNS Embryonal Tumors Treatment (PDQ)
NCI, Accessed 2026-09-05 - Indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation and CAR-T: 2025 EBMT practice recommendations
EBMT / Bone Marrow Transplantation, Accessed 2026-09-05 - Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants for Cancer
NCI, Accessed 2026-09-05
Other patients are waiting for a match.
Most people with medulloblastoma are treated without a registry donor. Many people with other blood cancers and blood disorders need a donor who is a stranger.
Join the registry
JBF points you to the official registry that serves your country. It explains who can join and what donation involves.
Help a family run a drive
If someone you love needs a donor, a registration drive can add many potential donors at once, for them and for others.
Support this work
Gifts to the Jada Bascom Foundation support donor-awareness education like this guide, community outreach, drive planning and referrals to official registries.
