Your brain and spinal cord have spaces that contain cerebrospinal fluid. It’s a fluid that helps protect the brain and spinal cord from injury and from infection from toxins. These spaces are called ventricles when they are located in the brain and spinal cord. An ependymoma is a rare tumor that forms from cells in the lining of these spaces.

Depending on its location and aggressiveness, an ependymoma will be classified as one of three main types:

Classic. These are fairly well-defined tumors that usually appear in the lower part of the brain containing the cerebellum and the brain stem. They can also appear in the spinal cord or within the cerebral cortex, the upper part of the brain.
Anaplastic. These tend to be fast-growing tumors and often indicate a poor outcome. They also tend to develop in the area of the brain that contains the cerebellum and brain stem. This part of the brain is called the posterior fossa.
Myxopapillary ependymoma. These tumors are more common in adults than in children. They are usually limited to the base of the spine.

B) Sagittal MR T2 of the ependymoma in the posterior cranial fossa with involvement of the floor of the 4th ventricle. The tumor extends through the foramen of Lushka

Join the brain tumor community for a virtual event in honor of Ependymoma Awareness Day.

The twenty-minute live-streamed virtual program will feature awareness content, stories from the ependymoma community, and conclude with a butterfly release. As each butterfly takes flight, we honor the life of a loved one lost or living with a brain tumor.

Spinal cord surgery left Mandy disabled. 2 years later we are still in this storm. Through faith, love, healing, and exercise, we are determined to get Mandy strong enough to be independent.

Participants in Head to the Hill and members of the ependymoma community gathered for a Welcome Reception & Butterfly Release to commemorate Ependymoma Awareness Day.

This highlight video features stories from the ependymoma community and concludes with a butterfly release to honor loved ones with ependymoma, recognize care partners and medical workers, and support ependymoma research efforts.

EPENDYMOMA RADIOLOGY BY DR KANHU CHARAN PATRO