Question

Most common cerebellar tumour in children?

• A. Astrocytoma
• B. Medulloblastoma
• C. Ependymoma
• D. DNET

Hint:

Cystic pilocytic astrocytoma tops the list in children; metastasis in adults.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: The question is site-specific: the most common tumour arising in the cerebellum of a child. In children, most primary brain tumours are infratentorial, so several options are plausible.

Step 2: The single most common cerebellar tumour in children is the pilocytic astrocytoma. It is a low-grade, well-circumscribed, often cystic tumour with an excellent prognosis after resection. Hence option a is correct.

Step 3: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant posterior fossa tumour and typically arises in the cerebellar vermis, but overall astrocytoma is the most common cerebellar tumour. Ependymoma usually arises in the fourth ventricle, and DNET is a cortical (supratentorial) tumour, so options c and d do not fit the cerebellar location.

Step 4: For contrast, in adults the most common cerebellar tumour is metastasis, which underlines that the answer depends on the age group.