While a tumor is growing gently in the brain or spinal cord it is named an ependymoma. This nervous system tumor cannot spread out of your brain and spinal cord. Ependymoma affects both adults and children. However, children are most likely affected by it.
An ependymoma is a form of glioma it grows based on glial cells. Glial cells help neurons in your brain and spinal cord. With the assistance of neuro oncology in Siliguri, you can get a solution to this complicated issue. Ependymoma can’t start on another part of the body and can’t spread anywhere too.
Ependymoma: Types
Oncologists grade the ependymoma tumor based on their growth rate from 1 to 3. The slowest growing tumor is considered grade 1 and the fastest among them is considered as grade 3. There are mainly four types of ependymoma tumors exist which include:
- Subependymoma (Grade 1)
- Myxopappilary ependymoma (Grade 1)
- Classic ependymoma (Grade 2)
- Naplastic ependymoma (Grade 3)
Ependymoma: Symptoms
The tumor location, size, and age of the patient decide its symptoms. Children with ependymoma have faced:
- Unusual size of the head
- Whinning unnecessarily
- Sleeplessness
- Vomiting
The adults who have ependymoma have faced:
- Neck pain
- Balance issue
- Urination issue
- Hazzy vision
- Feeling fragile
- Numbness in arms and legs
- Lathergy in muscles
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Seizures
Ependymoma: Causes
There is no exact reason lies behind ependymoma. A gene mutation is generally responsible for cancer. Experts don’t have an idea why those genes get mutated. Those who have neurofibromatosis-type disease are more likely affected by ependymoma.
Ependymoma: Diagnosis
Asking some general questions your oncologist advises you some tests to learn about your tumor’s size, grade, and location. The tests are as follows:
MRI
Using a computer and large magnets the specialist notices the inner part of your brain and spinal cord.
Spinal Tap
Take a little amount of cerebrospinal fluid a specialist sends it to the lab for testing the cells of the spinal cord.
Surgery
Removing the tumor your neuro-oncologist sends it to the lab to test its type and grade.
Ependymoma: Treatment
After checking the state of the tumor, your doctor might suggest the treatment options including:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Immunotherapy
Ependymoma tumor builds in your spinal cord and brain and doesn’t disturb other organs. Though it is more common in children, adults also faced it. With the help of neuro oncology in Siliguri, you can be aware of the disease.
Tumor grade and location decide the treatment options. Generally, a patient faced balance problems, extreme headaches, weakness, and numbness due to the disease. Removing the tumor with the help of surgery can give you a new life.
