Ependymoma is a rare tumor arising from ependymal cells lining the CSF-filled ventricles in the brain and central canal of the spinal cord (9% of pediatric CNS tumors).
WHO Grades & Histologic Classification
• Subependymoma (Grade 1): Slow-growing, ventricles, adults.
• Classic Ependymoma (Grade 2): Both children & adults.
• Myxopapillary Ependymoma (Grade 2): Lower spinal cord, adult men.
• Anaplastic Ependymoma (Grade 3): Fast-growing, aggressive, brain base.
Locations & Symptoms
Location: Posterior fossa (54.4% in children), Supratentorial (32.5%), Spinal cord (64.1% in adults).
Brain symptoms: Blurry vision, confusion, headaches, irritability, nausea, seizures, vomiting.
Spinal cord symptoms: Back/neck pain, leg weakness, numbness, bowel/bladder changes.
Diagnosis & Multimodal Treatment
Diagnostics: Neurological exam, Contrast MRI, Lumbar puncture CSF testing, Biopsy, CT scan.
Treatment: Surgical resection (maximal safe removal), Radiation therapy, Radiosurgery, Chemotherapy (recurrent cases), Targeted therapy, and Clinical trials.