Ependymomas

Abstract

✓ A clinical and pathological survey of 74 histologically verified ependymomas (47 intracranial, 27 spinal) was derived from a total series of 2186 gliomas. Patient ages ranged from 7 months to 64 years. The malignant tumors above the tentorium tended to occur in patients over 22 years. The greatest frequency occurred with 24 tumors in the fourth ventricle and 20 in the region of the cauda equina. The location, symptomatology, objective findings, surgical and x-ray therapy, and vital statistics have been evaluated. There was no correlation between tumor characteristics and preoperative symptomatology. Supplementary x-ray therapy appeared to be beneficial. Seventeen of the 36 patients with benign intracranial tumors and five of the 11 patients with malignant intracranial tumors survive. Fourteen of the 27 patients with spinal ependymomas survive. There was one instance of generalized metastasis in the spinal series and none in the intracranial group.