Information Portal on Brain and Spinal Ependymoma Tumors

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ep·en·dy·mo·ma ( -p n d -m m )
n. pl. ep·en·dy·mo·mas or ep·en·dy·mo·ma·ta (-m -t )

A central nervous system neoplasm made up of relatively undifferentiated ependymal cells. Also called medulloepithelioma. A glioma arising in or near the ependyma. (Source: Dictionary.com)

Within the brain and spinal cord there are nerve cells and also cells that support and protect the nerve cells. The supporting cells are called glial cells. A tumor of these cells is known as a glioma.

Ependymomas are a rare type of glioma and develop from the ependymal cells which line the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces in the brain) and the central canal of the spinal cord. They can be found in any part of the brain or spine but are most commonly found in the main part of the brain, the cerebrum.

Ependymomas may spread from the brain to the spinal cord in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

People of all ages can develop ependymomas, including children. Tumors at the base of the brain, in an area called the posterior fossa, are more common in children. Ependymomas of the spine account for over half of all adult spinal tumors. (Source: cancerBACUP.org.uk)

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Factoid

In the US: Ependymomas are infrequent tumors, representing 2-8% of all brain tumors. However, ependymomas are the third most common brain tumor in children (8-12%) with up to 30% occurring in children younger than 3 years. Half of the ependymomas occur in the first 2 decades of life; two-thirds are located in the posterior fossa (>than 90% are in the fourth ventricle). Interestingly, despite their overall low frequency, ependymomas are the most frequent neuroepithelial tumors of the spinal cord. (Source: eMedicine.com)