BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPosterior fossa tumorInfratentorial brain tumors; Brainstem glioma; Cerebellar tumorPosterior fossa tumor is a type of brain tumor located in or near the bottom of the skull. Causes The posterior fossa is a small space in the skull, found near the brainstem and cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordinated movements. The brainstem is responsible for controlling vital body functions, such as breathing.If a tumor grows in the area of the posterior fossa, it can block the flow of spinal fluid and cause increased pressure on the brain and spinal cord.Most tumors of the posterior fossa are primary brain cancers. They start in the brain, rather than spreading from somewhere else in the body.Posterior fossa tumors have no known causes or risk factors. Symptoms Symptoms occur very early with posterior fossa tumors and may include: Drowsiness Headache Imbalance Nausea Uncoordinated walk (ataxia) AtaxiaUncoordinated movement is due to a muscle control problem that causes an inability to coordinate movements. It leads to a jerky, unsteady, to-and-fr...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Vomiting Symptoms from posterior fossa tumors also occur when the tumor damages local structures, such as the cranial nerves. Symptoms of cranial nerve damage include:Dilated pupils Eye problems Face muscle weakness Hearing loss Loss of feeling in part of the face Taste problems Unsteadiness when walking Vision problems Exams and Tests Diagnosis is based on a thorough medical history and physical exam, followed by imaging tests. The best way to look at the posterior fossa is with an MRI scan. CT scans are not helpful to see that area of the brain in most cases.MRI scanA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The following procedures may be used to remove a piece of tissue from the tumor to help with diagnosis:Open brain surgery, called a posterior craniotomy CraniotomyBrain surgery is an operation to treat problems in the brain and surrounding structures.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Stereotactic biopsy Treatment Most tumors of the posterior fossa are removed with surgery, even if they are not cancerous. There is limited space in the posterior fossa, and the tumor can easily press on delicate structures if it grows.Depending on the type and size of the tumor, radiation treatment may also be used after surgery. Support Groups You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.Support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society. Support and online communities. www. cancer. org/...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) A good outlook depends on finding the cancer early. A total blockage in the flow of spinal fluid can be life threatening. If tumors are found early, surgery can lead to long-term survival. Possible Complications Complications may include:Cranial nerve palsies Herniation Hydrocephalus HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Increased intracranial pressureIncreased intracranial pressureIncreased intracranial pressure is a rise in the pressure inside the skull that can result from or cause brain injury.Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your health care provider if you have regular headaches that occur with nausea, vomiting, or vision changes.Open ReferencesReferencesArriaga MA, Brackmann DE. Neoplasms of the posterior fossa. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 179.Dorsey JF, Salinas RD, Dang M, et al. Cancer of the central nervous system. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 63.Zaky W, Ater JL, Khatua S. Brain tumors in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 524.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Brain tumor - children(Condition)Brain tumors - primary - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/25/2022 Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Posterior fossa tumorInfratentorial brain tumors; Brainstem glioma; Cerebellar tumorPosterior fossa tumor is a type of brain tumor located in or near the bottom of the skull. Causes The posterior fossa is a small space in the skull, found near the brainstem and cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordinated movements. The brainstem is responsible for controlling vital body functions, such as breathing.If a tumor grows in the area of the posterior fossa, it can block the flow of spinal fluid and cause increased pressure on the brain and spinal cord.Most tumors of the posterior fossa are primary brain cancers. They start in the brain, rather than spreading from somewhere else in the body.Posterior fossa tumors have no known causes or risk factors. Symptoms Symptoms occur very early with posterior fossa tumors and may include: Drowsiness Headache Imbalance Nausea Uncoordinated walk (ataxia) AtaxiaUncoordinated movement is due to a muscle control problem that causes an inability to coordinate movements. It leads to a jerky, unsteady, to-and-fr...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Vomiting Symptoms from posterior fossa tumors also occur when the tumor damages local structures, such as the cranial nerves. Symptoms of cranial nerve damage include:Dilated pupils Eye problems Face muscle weakness Hearing loss Loss of feeling in part of the face Taste problems Unsteadiness when walking Vision problems Exams and Tests Diagnosis is based on a thorough medical history and physical exam, followed by imaging tests. The best way to look at the posterior fossa is with an MRI scan. CT scans are not helpful to see that area of the brain in most cases.MRI scanA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The following procedures may be used to remove a piece of tissue from the tumor to help with diagnosis:Open brain surgery, called a posterior craniotomy CraniotomyBrain surgery is an operation to treat problems in the brain and surrounding structures.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Stereotactic biopsy Treatment Most tumors of the posterior fossa are removed with surgery, even if they are not cancerous. There is limited space in the posterior fossa, and the tumor can easily press on delicate structures if it grows.Depending on the type and size of the tumor, radiation treatment may also be used after surgery. Support Groups You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems.Support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society. Support and online communities. www. cancer. org/...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) A good outlook depends on finding the cancer early. A total blockage in the flow of spinal fluid can be life threatening. If tumors are found early, surgery can lead to long-term survival. Possible Complications Complications may include:Cranial nerve palsies Herniation Hydrocephalus HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Increased intracranial pressureIncreased intracranial pressureIncreased intracranial pressure is a rise in the pressure inside the skull that can result from or cause brain injury.Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your health care provider if you have regular headaches that occur with nausea, vomiting, or vision changes.Open ReferencesReferencesArriaga MA, Brackmann DE. Neoplasms of the posterior fossa. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 179.Dorsey JF, Salinas RD, Dang M, et al. Cancer of the central nervous system. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 63.Zaky W, Ater JL, Khatua S. Brain tumors in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 524.