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.

Katherine B. Peters
Distinguished in Ependymoma
Dr. Katherine B. Peters
Neurology
Distinguished in Ependymoma
Dr. Katherine B. Peters
Neurology

Duke Cancer Center

20 Duke Medicine Cir, 
Durham, NC 
919-681-6900
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Katherine Peters is a Neurologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Peters is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ependymoma. Her top areas of expertise are Glioma, Gliomatosis Cerebri, Brain Tumor, and Astrocytoma. Dr. Peters is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Allan H. Friedman
Distinguished in Ependymoma
Dr. Allan H. Friedman
Neurosurgery
Distinguished in Ependymoma
Dr. Allan H. Friedman
Neurosurgery

Duke Cancer Center Brain Tumor Clinic

20 Duke Medicine Cir, 
Durham, NC 
919-684-5301
Languages Spoken:
English, German
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Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Allan Friedman is a Neurosurgery provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Friedman is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ependymoma. His top areas of expertise are Glioma, Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Awake Craniotomy, and Laminectomy. Dr. Friedman is currently accepting new patients.

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What are the latest Ependymoma Clinical Trials?
A First-in-human Phase I Single-agent Dose-escalation, Food Effect and Dose Expansion Study of Oral ONC206 in Recurrent and Rare Primary Central Nervous System Neoplasms
A First-in-human Phase I Single-agent Dose-escalation, Food Effect and Dose Expansion Study of Oral ONC206 in Recurrent and Rare Primary Central Nervous System Neoplasms
Who is this study for: Patients with recurrent and rare primary central nervous system neoplasms
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: December 17, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: ONC206
Study Phase: Phase 1

Summary: The primary objective of this Phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation, and exploratory study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability profile (establish the maximum-tolerated dose) and evaluate the occurrence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) following single weekly or multiple-day weekly dose regimens of single-agent, oral ONC206 in patients with recurrent, primary central nervous system (CNS) ne...

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Observational Study for Assessing Treatment and Outcome of Patients With Primary Brain Tumours Diagnosed According to cIMPACT-NOW Recommendations and the 2021 WHO Classification
Observational Study for Assessing Treatment and Outcome of Patients With Primary Brain Tumours Diagnosed According to cIMPACT-NOW Recommendations and the 2021 WHO Classification
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: December 17, 2025
Intervention Type: Other

Summary: Every new classification depends on its prognostic power and on the type of treatment given. With the rapid evolution of diagnostic methods and the advance in new treatments, there is much less reliable information available on how patients with newly defined brain tumour entities should be treated and what to expect from the current treatments. The goal is to determine whether the new 2021 WHO cl...

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