Ependymoma

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This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Ependymoma?

Ependymoma is a rare CNS tumor arising from ependymal cells lining the ventricles and spinal canal. It’s grade 2 (classic, slow-growing) or 3 (anaplastic, aggressive), with subtypes like subependymoma or myxopapillary. In children (most common under 5), it’s often intracranial; in adults, spinal. In 2025, ~1,400 US cases annually, 3% of brain tumors.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on location: intracranial ependymomas cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, vision changes, balance issues, or hydrocephalus (increased pressure). Spinal tumors cause back pain, weakness/numbness in limbs, bladder/bowel dysfunction. Children may have developmental delays. In 2025, symptoms lead to prompt imaging.

Causes

Causes include genetic mutations (e.g., NF2 in spinal, RELA fusions in supratentorial). Risk factors are age (bimodal: children/adults), male gender for spinal, and neurofibromatosis type 2. No strong environmental links. In 2025, molecular profiling shows chromosomal changes as drivers.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses MRI (preferred for location/characteristics), CT for calcifications, and biopsy for grading. CSF cytology checks spread. Molecular testing for RELA/C11orf95 fusions. In 2025, AI and NGS improve subtype classification.

Treatment

Surgery is primary for maximal resection, followed by radiation (conformal or proton) for grades 2-3. Chemotherapy (e.g., cisplatin, etoposide) for recurrent or pediatric cases. Targeted therapies for specific mutations. In 2025, immunotherapy trials show promise.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 88%, higher in adults (90%) than children (75%). Complete resection + radiation achieves 70-80% progression-free survival. Research on targeted inhibitors and vaccines could raise to 95% by 2030.

Sources

The information for ependymoma is sourced from Cancer Therapy Advisor’s “Ependymoma | Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, & Prognosis” for 2025 updates; Cleveland Clinic’s “Ependymoma: Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis & Types” for symptoms; WebMD’s “What is Ependymoma: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment” for causes; National Brain Tumor Society’s “Ependymoma – American Brain Tumor Association” for prognosis; Mayo Clinic’s “Ependymoma – Diagnosis and treatment” for treatment; Mayo Clinic’s “Ependymoma – Symptoms and causes” for symptoms; NCI’s “Ependymoma: Diagnosis and Treatment” for diagnosis; ABTA’s “Ependymoma” for treatment options.