Turkish Neurosurgery
Medulloblastoma in adults: surgical outcomes and survival- a single center analysis of 16 patients
Hakan Yilmaz1, Emrah Akcay1, Huseyin Benek1
1University of Health Science Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery, Izmir,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.32143-20.2

Aim:Although medulloblastomas are the most common type of brain tumor in children, they are very rare in adults. As a result, series related to adult medulloblastomas are few in number and include only a few patients. The purpose of this studywas to look intothe clinicopathological characteristics, surgical outcomes, and survival rates of adult patients with medulloblastoma.Material and Methods:Patients (over the age of 17) who had surgery in our clinic with the diagnosis of cerebellar mass between 2009 and 2015 and whose pathological diagnosis was compatible with medulloblastoma were examined. The study was carried outretrospectively by analyzing the clinicopathological data, surgical outcomes, and complications of the patients. In the postoperative and follow-up periods, contrast-enhanced cranial MRI was used to assess the presence of recurrence or residue.Moreover, theoverall 5-year survival rates of the patients were evaluated.Results:A total of 16 adult patients were diagnosed with medulloblastoma,with amean age of32.25 yearsold(age range 18–57 years). The tumor was found inthe vermis in eight (50%) patients and the cerebellar hemispheres in eight (50%) patients. Further, total excision was performed on 14 (87.5%)patients, near-total excision on 1 (6.25%)patient, and subtotal excision on 1 (6.25%)patient. Moreover, six (40%)patients had a recurrent lesion. The 5-year mortality rate was 25% (4 patients), with ten (62.5%) patients still alive at the 5-year follow-up.Conclusion:After 5 years, 10 of the 16 patients in our studywere still alive. A lateral location, a desmoplastic variant, and total excision were all good prognostic indicators. Total excision is difficult in patients with brainstem invasion, andeven if total excision is performed, the prognosis is poor.Furthermore, there were no severe complications related to the sitting position.

Corresponding author : Hakan Yilmaz