What is the Difference Between Ependymoma and Subependymoma

The key difference between ependymoma and subependymoma is that ependymoma is a higher grade tumor arising from the ependymal cells near the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord, while subependymoma is a lower grade tumor arising from the ependymal cells near the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord.

A central nervous system tumor is a disease in which abnormal cells develop in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. The brain usually controls many functions in the body. The spinal cord connects the brain to the nerves in most parts of the body. There are various types of brain and spinal cord tumors such as astrocytic tumors, oligodendroglial tumors, mixed gliomas, ependymal tumors, pineal parenchymal tumors, meningeal tumors, germ cell tumors, and craniopharyngioma.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ependymoma
3. What is Subependymoma
4. Similarities – Ependymoma and Subependymoma
5. Ependymoma vs Subependymoma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Ependymoma vs Subependymoma

What is Ependymoma?

Ependymoma is a higher grade tumor arising from the ependymal cells near the ventricles of the brain and the spinal cord. Ependymoma is a primary central nervous system tumor; meaning, that this tumor begins in the brain and spinal cord. Ependymoma can usually occur at any age. However, it most often occurs in young children. Children with ependymoma may experience headaches and seizures. Ependymoma in adults most likely occurs in the spinal cord. This can cause weakness in the part of the body controlled by the nerves that are affected by ependymoma tumors.

Diagnostic procedures and tests that are involved in the ependymoma diagnosis include neurological exams, imaging tests (MRI), and lumbar puncture. Moreover, specialized tests are used to identify the types of cells and their level of aggressiveness. This is because some ependymoma subtypes, such as anaplastic ependymoma (grade III), are highly aggressive. These specialized tests may be used to guide the treatment decisions. Furthermore, the treatment options for ependymoma include surgery to remove ependymoma, radiation therapy (X-rays), radiosurgery, and chemotherapy.

What is Subependymoma?

Subependymoma is a benign tumor that grows in the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord. It normally grows from the ventricular wall into spinal fluid spaces within the brain. It is a lower grade (grade I) tumor. This means subependymoma tumor cells grow slowly. Subependymoma tumor is more common in adults than in children. The lesion of subependymoma may obstruct spinal fluid flow and put pressure on surrounding structures.

Subependymoma symptoms include headaches and confusion. In subependymoma, patients are often asymptomatic, and small lesions are found incidentally in the brain. Moreover, subependymoma is diagnosed through CT scan, MRI scan, and DSA-angiography. The preferred surgical treatment for subependymoma is neuroendoport® surgery. This surgery gives surgeons access to the lesions through a dime-size channel. It is a minimally invasive surgery that offers various benefits such as minimal scarring, fewer complications and side effects, and faster recovery time than traditional surgery.

What are the Similarities Between Ependymoma and Subependymoma?

• Ependymoma and subependymoma are two types of central nervous system tumors.
• They arise from the ependymal cells near the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord.
• Both tumors are observed in adults as well as in children.
• These tumors can be treated through surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Ependymoma and Subependymoma?

Ependymoma is a higher grade tumor arising from the ependymal cells near the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord, while subependymoma is a lower grade tumor arising from the ependymal cells near the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord. Thus, this is the key difference between ependymoma and subependymoma. Furthermore, ependymoma often occurs in young children, while subependymoma often occurs in adults.

The below infographic presents the differences between ependymoma and subependymoma in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Ependymoma vs Subependymoma

Ependymoma and subependymoma are two types of central nervous system tumors that arise from the ependymal cells near the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord. Ependymoma is a higher grade tumor, while subependymoma is a lower grade tumor. So, this is the key difference between ependymoma and subependymoma.

Reference:

1. “Brain Tumor.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Aug. 2021.
2. “Subependymomas and Ependymomas Treatment: Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Subependymoma and Ependymoma Research Center in Baltimore, Maryland.” Treatment | Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Subependymoma and Ependymoma Research Center in Baltimore, Maryland, 6 Oct. 2015.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Anaplastic ependymoma MIB1” By Jensflorian – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Subependymoma 2 – high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia