Ependymoma: An overview

Abstract

Ependymoma, a central nervous system tumor in the glioma family, is composed of neoplastic ependymal cells. Most ependymomas are WHO grade II, slow-growing tumors, but grades range from WHO grade I-III. Location and grade vary by patient age, with adult tumors typically spinal and grade I, and pediatric tumors mainly in the posterior fossa and grade II. Prognostic features include: age, location, grade and extent of resection with adult, spinal, grade I tumors having the best prognosis; and pediatric, intracranial, grade III tumors having the worst prognosis. Treatment is typically composed of surgical resection with or without radiotherapy, while chemotherapy has very little proven efficacy in ependymoma.