Overview
An ependymoma is a mass of irregular cells (tumor) in your brain or spinal cord. It’s a type of primary central nervous system tumor. Ependymomas start in your brain or spinal cord instead of starting elsewhere and spreading to your brain or spinal cord. Ependymomas tend to grow slowly and usually don’t spread to other parts of your body.
An ependymoma is a type of glioma, meaning it starts in glial cells. Glial cells help support the neurons in your brain and spinal cord.
What are the types of ependymomas?
Healthcare providers rate ependymomas on a 1 to 3 grading scale, with grade 1 tumors growing the slowest and grade 3 tumors growing the fastest. There are several types of ependymomas, including:
- Subependymoma (grade 1) grows near the chambers (ventricles) that contain cerebrospinal fluid. It’s more common in adults than children.
- Myxopapillary ependymoma (grade 1) grows in your lower spinal cord and is most common in adult men.
- Classic ependymoma (grade 2) is the most common ependymoma and occurs in children and adults.
- Anaplastic ependymoma (grade 3) often grows near the base of your brain and spreads to other parts of your brain. These tumors tend to return (recur) after treatment.
Who is most likely to get an ependymoma?
Ependymomas are more common in children than adults. They’re the sixth most common type of brain tumor in children.
How common are ependymomas?
Experts estimate that nearly 22 in 100,000 people have primary central nervous system tumors. Of all primary central nervous system tumor diagnoses, ependymomas make up:
- Less than 2% of adult diagnoses.
- Around 4% of diagnoses in children ages 15 to 19.
- Almost 6% of diagnoses in children from birth to 14.
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