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Posterior fossa tumor - Overview

Alternative Names

Infratentorial brain tumors; Brainstem glioma

Definition of Posterior fossa tumor:

Posterior fossa tumor is a type of brain tumor located in or near the bottom of the skull.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The posterior fossa is a small space in the skull, found near the brain stem and cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for movement.

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, which originate in the brain, rather than spreading from elsewhere in the body.

There are no known cause or risk factors associated with them.

Reviewed last on: 6/10/2008
James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Labuguen RH. Initial evaluation of vertigo. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(1):244-251.

Wilne S, Collier J, Kennedy C, Koller K, Grundy R, Walker D. Presentation of childhood CNS tumours: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2007;8(8):685-695.

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