What is an ependymoma?
An ependymoma is a primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor. This means it begins in the brain or spinal cord. To get an accurate diagnosis, a piece of tumor tissue will be removed during surgery, if possible. A neuropathologist should then review the tumor tissue.
What type of cancer is ependymoma?
Ependymoma is a rare type of brain tumour called a glioma. They start from ependymal cells in the brain or spinal cord. Ependymomas can develop in children and adults. Symptoms of ependymomas depend on whether the tumour is in the brain or the spinal cord.
What is the cause of ependymomas?
Most ependymomas are slow-growing tumors. Researchers don’t know what causes ependymomas. You may need surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Radiation and chemotherapy are sometimes used after surgery.
Can you survive ependymoma?
5-year Survival Rates for Ependymomas For those with ependymoma, the overall 5-year relative survival rate is 83.4%. 5-year relative survival rates are highest for those aged 20-44 years (91%), and decrease with increasing age at diagnosis with a 5-year relative survival rate of 57.8% for those aged 75+ years.
How are ependymomas removed?
Surgery is the primary treatment for ependymoma. For more aggressive tumors or for tumors that can’t be removed completely with surgery, additional treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, may be recommended.
What is the 10 year survival rate for ependymoma?
In patients who have been treated according to best practices, ependymomas are associated with significant mortality. The 10-year survival rate for adult patients is 70–89% [2,3,4], and the 10-year overall survival rate is 64% in pediatric patients with ependymomas [5,6,7].
Do ependymomas grow back?
Even after the best treatment, ependymomas can regrow or recur. There is no way to predict which patients are more likely to have tumor recurrence. For this reason, routine check-ups and MRIs are highly recommended. Most commonly, the regrowth occurs in the same spot as the first tumor.
Is ependymoma genetic?
Ependymoma, like other cancers, is a genetic disease.
Is an ependymoma benign?
Ependymoma (Grade II): The most common, this type is typically benign and found along the ventricles in either the infratentorial region or the spine.
Can ependymoma come back?
Even after the best treatment, ependymomas can regrow or recur. There is no way to predict which patients are more likely to have tumor recurrence.
Can you prevent ependymoma?
How can ependymoma be prevented in a child? There is no way to prevent ependymoma because there are no known risk factors besides NF2.