Ependymomas
Our specialists help patients and their families understand treatment options for ependymomas, from advanced imaging to surgery and other personalized therapies.
Types of ependymomas
An ependymoma is a type of tumor that forms in the cells lining the fluid-filled spaces of the brain or spine. Typically found in the brain of a child or the spine of an adult, ependymomas are divided into three grades based on the tumor’s location, spread and severity.
Grade I ependymomas are slow-growing tumors that usually occur in adults. There are two types:
- Subependymomas appear along the walls of a brain ventricle.
- Myxopapillary ependymomas develop at the tail end of the spinal cord that controls bowel, bladder and lower extremity function.
Grade II ependymomas occur in either the brain or the spine. This most common type of ependymoma and often leads to hydrocephalus, a backup of spinal fluid within the brain.
Grade III anaplastic ependymomas are high-grade, fast-growing, cancerous tumors that most often occur in the brain, but can also occur in the spine.
Ependymomas are a type of glioma.
Brain tumors and related conditions we treat
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