Ependymoma

Ependymoma is a rare type of brain tumour. It starts from ependymal cells in the brain or spinal cord. Ependymomas can develop in children and adults. This page is about ependymomas in adults. 

Read about ependymomas in children

Symptoms of ependymomas depend on whether the tumour is in the brain or the spinal cord. Common symptoms include headaches and feeling or being sick.  

Find out more about the symptoms of brain tumours

Grades of ependymomas

Ependymomas are also put into groups according to how quickly they are likely to grow. This is called the grade. These tumours can be low grade (slow growing) or high grade (fast growing).

The grade depends on how the cells look.  Generally, the more normal the cells look, the lower the grade. The more abnormal the cells look, the higher the grade. Grade also depends on genes and proteins in the tumour cells. 

For most types of brain tumours, doctors can usually have an idea of how the tumour might behave by looking at the grade. But for ependymomas, the grade does not always fit with their behaviour. So the grade may not tell you much about how likely the tumour is to grow or spread. 

For ependymomas:

• most types are either grade 2 or grade 3

• subependymomas are grade 1

Read more about the grades of brain tumours

How common it is

Ependymomas are rare. About 1 out of every 100 brain tumours (about 1%) diagnosed in England between 1995 and 2017 were ependymomas. 

Most ependymomas are high grade (fast growing).

What tests will I have?

You have tests to diagnose an ependymoma. Your doctor checks the size of the tumour and its location. This helps your doctor plan your treatment. The tests you might have include:

• ​MRI scan​ or ​CT scan​

• a test of your neurological system (neurological examination)

• a ​biopsy​

We have more information about the tests you might have to diagnose a brain tumour

Coping with ependymoma

Coping with a diagnosis of a brain tumour can be difficult, both practically and emotionally. It can be especially difficult when you have a high grade tumour. Being well informed about the type of tumour you have, and its treatment can make it easier to cope.  

Find out what you can do, who can help and how to cope with a brain tumour