Fast Facts

The CERN Foundation is dedicated to helping you understand ependymoma. See below for a list of ependymoma facts about the disease.

Ependymoma tumor description

• An ependymoma is a rare type of primary brain or spinal cord tumor
• An ependymoma is a rare type of glial tumor; glial cells are the cells that support brain
• Primary brain and spinal cord tumors are those that start in the central nervous system (CNS)
• These ependymoma tumors are classified and graded according to their appearance when viewed through the microscope
• Ependymomas can be found in children and adults

Ependymoma tumor incidence

Ependymoma tumors account for two percent (in adults) and five percent (in children) of CNS tumors.

Incidence in children:

• The third most common pediatric brain tumor
• The most common type of primary spinal cord tumor
• Approximately 250 children are diagnosed per year
• Most commonly occur in the brain

Incidence in adults:

• Two percent of adult gliomas
• Approximately 1,100 adults are diagnosed per year
• Most commonly occur in the spinal cord

Staging and grading

• Ependymoma may spread throughout the CNS
• Spread outside of the CNS is rare
• All can recur (regrow)
• Graded on a scale of I to III (World Health Organization [WHO] Grading system)
• Grade I
  • Myxopapillary ependymoma and subependymoma
  • Myxopapillary ependymomas generally occur in the spinal cord in adults
  • Both tumors tend to grow slowly, especially the subependymoma
• Grade II and III
  • Classic ependymomas and ependymoma subtypes or variants (Grade II) and anaplastic ependymoma (Grade III)
  • These occur mainly in the brain
  • These tumors grow more quickly than Grade I tumors

Spinal cord and brain tumor symptoms

Symptoms depend on the tumor location. Any symptoms you have should be discussed with your doctor

Common brain tumor symptoms include:

• Headache or pressure in the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Weakness or numbness and tingling

Common spinal cord symptoms include:

• Back pain
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, legs or trunk
• Problems going to the bathroom or controlling bowel or bladder function

Causes and treatment

• The cause is not known. It rarely occurs in multiple family members, although does occur in people with Neurofibromatosis type 2.
• Most people with ependymomas, of any grade, will undergo surgery to remove a tumor.
• Depending on the tumor grade, location and how much of the tumor has been removed, radiation therapy is often given.
• The role of chemotherapy has not been established, but researchers are working to find new effective treatments.