Ependymoma treatment and diagnostics abroad

Ependymoma is a tumour that grows from ependymal cells lining the brain's ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. In children it is usually found in the back of the brain (posterior fossa), in adults — in the spinal cord. It is the third most common brain tumour in children.

Below are pediatric neurosurgery clinics abroad: compare their capabilities, doctors and prices.

Symptoms of ependymoma

• headache, morning vomiting, drowsiness — due to hydrocephalus;
• unsteady walking, poor coordination, squint;
• in babies — a growing head and irritability;
• with a spinal cord tumour — back pain, weakness and numbness in the limbs.

Diagnosis

• contrast MRI of the brain and the whole spinal cord;
• cerebrospinal fluid testing for tumour cells when feasible, with suitability and timing determined by the specialist team;
• histology and molecular testing after surgery — defines the subtype and the treatment plan.

Ependymoma treatment abroad

• Removing as much of the tumour as safely possible — balanced against neurological risks; tumour biology, location and spread also affect the outlook; surgeons use neuronavigation, intraoperative monitoring and MRI.
• Radiotherapy to the tumour bed; in children often proton therapy, to spare healthy tissue.
• Chemotherapy — in very young children to delay radiation, and in clinical trials.
• Treatment of hydrocephalus and long-term follow-up with MRI.

See also glioma and astrocytoma. Clinics are in the pediatric neurosurgery and pediatric oncology sections.

Send a request with MRI scans and the histology report — Clinics Direct coordinators will get the opinion of a pediatric neurosurgeon and oncologist free of charge.