Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Medulloblastoma
Introduction:
Rare cancer of the brain parenchyma arising in the posterior fossa, often categorized as a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). It is very common in children but rare in adults. Extracranial metastases occur in about 7% of cases. However, it is known to spread through CSF readily throughout the central nervous system.
Prevalence: Very Rare Metastasis Frequency: Rare
References:
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1991 Jan;54(1):80-6. PMID: 2010766
Primary Tumor:
| Characteristics | Comments | |
| Brain | posterior fossa, especially cerebellum |
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Bone | Common | Blastic | most common site of distant metastasis
|
| Spinal Cord | Common | spread through CSF
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| Distant Lymph Nodes | Common |
|
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| Liver | Uncommon | more common in children
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| Lung Parenchyma | Uncommon | Nodule | more common in adults |
| Muscle | Rare | ||
| Pancreas | Very Rare | ||
| Kidney | Very Rare | ||
| Ureter | Very Rare | ||
| Testes | Very Rare | ||
| Ovary | Very Rare | ||
| Breast | Very Rare | ||
| Thymus | Very Rare |