Overview

Childhood ependymoma is a type of brain tumor. A brain tumor begins when normal cells in the brain begin to change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). Ependymoma is a cancerous brain tumor. A brain tumor is named after the cells from which it develops. Ependymoma is a rare brain tumor that starts in the ependymal cells that line the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces) in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. The brain and spinal column make up the central nervous system (CNS), where all vital functions are controlled, including thought, speech, and body strength.

Ependymoma belongs to a group of brain tumors called gliomas. A glioma is a tumor that grows from a glial cell, which is a supportive cell in the brain. Even though an ependymoma can occur in any part of the brain or spine, it most commonly occurs in the cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain. The cerebrum is the top part of the brain and controls motor skills (muscle coordination) and talking.

Statistics

Ependymoma occurs most often in young children, accounting for nearly 10% of all childhood brain cancer.

The five-year relative survival rate (the percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases) of children ages 0-14 with ependymoma is approximately 55%.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of cases of this type of cancer, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with ependymoma. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer.

Source:American Cancer Society

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