Cerebellar medulloblastoma in adults: report of 15 cases and review of the literature.

From 1974 to 1988, 15 adult patients (aged over 16 years) with cerebellar medulloblastomas were observed in our Neurosurgical Department. All were treated by total (8 patients) or subtotal (7 patients) resection of the tumor, followed by radiation therapy to the posterior cranial fossa, spine and whole brain. A 5-year survival was achieved in 7 patients (46.6%). Local tumor recurrence occurred in 4 patients. The best treatment and the factors that influence the prognosis and survival of adult medulloblastomas are discussed also from the analysis of the pertinent literature.