[Therapeutic outcomes of medulloblastoma in Casablanca from 2000 to 2012]

To describe the therapeutic results, with the aim to contribute to improving the care of patients with medulloblastoma.

A retrospective study of 69 cases of medulloblastoma collected in the university hospital Ibn Rochd of Casablanca between 2000 and 2012.

Fifty-three children with an average age of 9 years and 16 adults with an average age of 32.4 years were included in the study. Thirty-seven children and eight adults suffered from a high-risk tumour. The radiotherapy was received by all patients with a mean dose of 36 Gy to the whole brain and 54 Gy in the posterior fossa. All patients in the paediatric group and 10 patients in the adult group received concomitant chemotherapy, 44 children and four adults received adjuvant chemotherapy. Tumour recurrence was observed in 17 children after a mean follow-up period of 38 months. These recurrences were observed in five adults after a mean follow-up period of 42 months. The posterior fossa was the main site of relapses. Overall survival was 77.7% for the children and 61% for the adults. Overall survival was better (70% versus 25%) when the interval between radiotherapy and surgery was less than 40 days in the paediatric group. The recurrence rate was significantly higher for the high-risk group: 41% versus 13% for the standard risk. In the adult group, overall survival differences according to the risk group were significant (100% for the standard risk versus 37.5% for the high risk).

The overall survival and recurrences rate obtained are encouraging. The risk group and time between surgery and radiotherapy were prognostic factors with significant impact on survival depending on the age group. We recommend reducing these times to improve therapeutic results.