# Radiological progression of medulloblastoma from non-existence to symptomatic mass in 42 days: Case report, kinetic analysis, and literature review

## TL;DR

A case of medulloblastoma in a child showed extremely rapid tumor growth, with the shortest doubling time ever reported, highlighting the aggressive nature of this cancer.

## Contribution

This case reports the shortest documented doubling time for medulloblastoma and provides insights into its rapid progression.

## Key findings

- The tumor's doubling time ranged between 2 and 6.5 days, much shorter than previously reported cases.
- Including this case, the mean doubling time across all reviewed medulloblastoma cases is 53.8 days.
- The case emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment due to the tumor's aggressive growth.

## Abstract

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, characterized by its aggressive nature and rapid growth. However, the standard practice of immediate surgical intervention limits opportunities to study the tumor's doubling time (DT), thereby restricting our understanding of its growth kinetics.

This study presents a pediatric case of MB that developed within 42 days of a normal MRI, with a focus on analyzing the tumor's DT and comparing it with values reported in the literature.

Tumor kinetics were assessed using volumetric measurements obtained via 3D Slicer software. A literature review identified six studies that examined the radiological DT of medulloblastoma for comparative analysis.

The estimated DT for the presented case ranged between 2 and 6.5 days, indicating exceptionally rapid tumor proliferation. This is shorter than previously reported cases, where DTs ranged from 6.84 to 353 days. Including the current case, the mean DT across all cases is 53.8 days.

This case highlights the potential for extremely rapid progression in MB, underscoring the aggressive nature of this tumor. The findings emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and intervention in MB cases. Further research into the genetic and molecular mechanisms driving its aggressive growth could support the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.

•Doubling time measures how long it takes for a tumor to double in size.•This case reports the shortest medulloblastoma doubling time documented in the literature.•A literature review reveals that medulloblastomas exhibit variable doubling times.•Understanding the factors contributing to this variability may help guide targeted treatments.

Doubling time measures how long it takes for a tumor to double in size.

This case reports the shortest medulloblastoma doubling time documented in the literature.

A literature review reveals that medulloblastomas exhibit variable doubling times.

Understanding the factors contributing to this variability may help guide targeted treatments.