Ependymoma
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Ependymoma Overview

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Learn About Ependymoma

View Main Condition: Brain Tumor

What is the definition of Ependymoma?
An ependymoma is a type of tumor which mainly occurs in young children that affects the brain or spinal cord. Ependymomas arise from the ependymal cells lining the passageways where cerebrospinal fluid flows. Ependymomas are categorized by grades based on their characteristics: Grade I ependymomas are considered to be slow growing, low-grade tumors; Grade II ependymomas may occur in the brain or spine and are also considered to be low-grade tumors; Grade III ependymomas are malignant (cancer), fast-growing tumors that most often occur in the brain and sometimes the spine. Rarely, an ependymoma can occur in the ovaries.
What are the symptoms of Ependymoma?
The symptoms of an ependymoma depend on the area of the brain or spinal cord affected, and in the brain may include headaches, nausea and vomiting, or dizziness. In the spinal cord, an ependymoma may cause numbness and weakness in the arms, legs, or trunk and sexual, urinary, or bowel problems. Symptoms of an ependymoma in children may include headache and seizures. In adults, ependymoma more frequently occurs in the spinal cord, causing weakness in areas of the body controlled by spinal nerves affected by the tumor.
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What are the current treatments for Ependymoma?
Treatment for an ependymoma is individualized, with the main treatment being surgical removal of the tumor. For tumors that cannot be treated with surgery or fully removed, radiosurgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy may be used.
Who are the top Ependymoma Local Doctors?
Chetan Bettegowda
Elite in Ependymoma
Dr. Chetan Bettegowda
Neurosurgery
Elite in Ependymoma
Dr. Chetan Bettegowda
Neurosurgery

Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville

10753 Falls Road, Pavilion II, Suite 115, Pavilion II, Suite 115, 
Lutherville, MD 
410-955-6406
Languages Spoken:
English, Kannada
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Offers Telehealth

Chetan Bettegowda is the director of the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery. He offers comprehensive treatments for adult patients with benign and malignant brain tumors, specializing in the treatment of patients with primary brain tumors such as gliomas, meningiomas and pituitary tumors. He performs both open surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery for patients with metastatic tumors to the brain, and also provides stereotactic radiosurgery for other neurological disorders, including spinal tumors, trigeminal neuralgia and skull-base tumors. Dr. Bettegowda is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ependymoma. His top areas of expertise are Trigeminal Neuralgia, Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Rhizotomy, and Microvascular Decompression.

Anthony L. Asher
Distinguished in Ependymoma
Dr. Anthony L. Asher
Neurosurgery
Distinguished in Ependymoma
Dr. Anthony L. Asher
Neurosurgery

Carolinas Medical Center

1000 Blythe Blvd., 
Charlotte, NC 
704-355-2000
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Anthony Asher is a Neurosurgery provider in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Asher is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ependymoma. His top areas of expertise are Spondylolisthesis, Cervical Myelopathy, Brain Tumor, Laminectomy, and Spinal Fusion. Dr. Asher is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Nina Paleologos
Distinguished in Ependymoma
Dr. Nina Paleologos
Psychiatry | Neurology
Distinguished in Ependymoma
Dr. Nina Paleologos
Psychiatry | Neurology

Advocate Medical Group Neurosurgery

3551 Highland Ave Ste, Ste 200A, 
Downers Grove, IL 
847-723-4088
Languages Spoken:
English
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Nina Paleologos is a Psychiatrist and a Neurologist in Downers Grove, Illinois. Dr. Paleologos is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ependymoma. Her top areas of expertise are Oligodendroglioma, Glioma, Glioblastoma, and Astrocytoma.

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What are the latest Ependymoma Clinical Trials?
Loc3CAR: Locoregional Delivery of B7-H3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Autologous T Cells for Pediatric Patients With Primary CNS Tumors
Loc3CAR: Locoregional Delivery of B7-H3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Autologous T Cells for Pediatric Patients With Primary CNS Tumors
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: January 20, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 1

Summary: Loc3CAR is a Phase I clinical trial evaluating the use of autologous B7-H3-CAR T cells for participants ≤ 21 years old with primary CNS neoplasms. B7-H3-CAR T cells will be locoregionally administered via a CNS reservoir catheter. Study participants will be divided into two cohorts: cohort A with B7-H3-positive relapsed/refractory non-brainstem primary CNS tumors, and cohort B with diffuse midline...

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Phase I/II Trial of PLX038 in Primary Central Nervous System Tumors Containing MYC or MYCN Amplifications
Phase I/II Trial of PLX038 in Primary Central Nervous System Tumors Containing MYC or MYCN Amplifications
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: January 09, 2026
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2

Background: About 90,000 new cases of brain and spinal cord tumors are diagnosed annually in the United States. Most of these tumors are benign; however, about 30% are malignant, and 35% of people with malignant tumors in the brain and spinal cord will die within 5 years. Many of these people have changes in certain genes (MYC or MYCN) that drive the development of their cancers.

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