Ependymal Tumors



Ependymal Tumors








Subependymoma

Definition: Subependymoma is a benign, slow-growing, often incidentally detected, intraventricular glial neoplasm arising from the subependymal glia and represents a lower-grade counterpart to ependymoma.

Epidemiology: Due to its rarity and asymptomatic clinical course, the true incidence of subependymoma is difficult to determine. It affects patients of all ages but is more common in middle-aged and older individuals.

Affected age group: The tumor usually affects middle-aged to older adults, with a mean age group of 55 to 64 years old, and without gender predilection.

Molecular and genetic profile: Chromosome 6 copy number alterations are only seen in lateral ventricule, posterior fossa, and spinal subependymomas and never in supratentorial subependymomas. Familial occurrence is well documented, but the underlying specific genetic susceptibility remains unknown.

Clinical features and standard therapy: Gross total resection of tumor leads to cure, although recurrence can be seen in rare cases.


Imaging