What is the Difference Between Medulloblastoma and Ependymoma

Medulloblastoma and ependymoma are two types of primary brain cancers. Primary brain tumors start in the brain and almost never spread to other parts of the body. They are different from secondary tumors, which are caused by cancers that originate from other parts of the body.

The key difference between medulloblastoma and ependymoma is their origin. Medulloblastoma originates in the cerebellum of the brain, while ependymoma medulloblastoma originates in the ependymal cells in the brain and spinal cord.

CONTENTS

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

What is Medulloblastoma?

Medulloblastoma is a primary brain tumor that starts in the lower back part of the brain called the cerebellum. The cerebellum regulates muscle coordination, balance, and movement. This cancer can spread through the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. However, medulloblastoma does not usually spread to other parts of the body. Medulloblastoma most often occurs in young children. The signs and symptoms of medulloblastoma may include dizziness, double vision, headaches, nausea, poor coordination, tiredness, unsteady walking, and vomiting.

Figure 01: Medulloblastoma

Tests and procedures used to diagnose medulloblastoma are neurological examinations, imaging tests, biopsy, and spinal tap. Furthermore, treatment options for medulloblastoma include surgery to relieve fluid build-up in the brain, surgery to remove medulloblastoma, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

What is Ependymoma?

Ependymoma is a primary brain tumor that begins in the ependymal cells. Ependymal cells line the passageways that carry cerebrospinal fluid. Ependymoma can be benign as well as malignant. Ependymoma most often happens in young children. Children with ependymoma may suffer from headaches and seizures, while adults with ependymoma may experience weakness in regions of the body controlled by the nerves affected by the tumor.

Figure 02: Ependymoma

Ependymoma can be diagnosed by neurological examination, imaging tests, and cerebrospinal fluid testing. Furthermore, ependymoma treatment options include surgery to remove as much of the ependymoma as possible, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Similarities Between Medulloblastoma and Ependymoma

1. Medulloblastoma and ependymoma are two primary brain tumors.
2. Both brain tumors are more common in young children.
3. These brain tumors can be caused by gene changes.
4. Both brain tumors can be diagnosed through neurological examination and imaging tests.
5. They can be treated through surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Difference Between Medulloblastoma and Ependymoma

Definition

1. Medulloblastoma is a primary brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum of the brain.
2. Ependymoma is a primary brain tumor that arises from ependymal cells within the central nervous system (CNS).

Causes

1. Medulloblastoma develops when there are certain risk factors such as BRAC1 gene mutation, nevoid basal cell carcinoma, and Turcot syndrome.
2. Ependymoma develops when specific gene changes occur in ependymal cells and have a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 2.

Signs and Symptoms

1. The signs and symptoms of medulloblastoma include headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, balance problems, changes in vision, difficulty in walking, back pain, and urinary or bowel incontinence.
2. The signs and symptoms of ependymoma include back and neck pain, balance problems, blurry vision, difficulty urinating, dizziness, headaches, muscle weakness, numbness in the arms and legs, nausea or vomiting, and seizures.

Diagnosis

1. Medulloblastoma can be diagnosed through neurological examination, CT scan, MRI, biopsy, and spinal tap.
2. Ependymoma can be diagnosed through physical examination, neurological examination, MRI, spinal tap, and biopsy.

Treatment

1. Treatment options for medulloblastoma include surgery, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, and radiation therapy.
2. Treatment options for ependymoma include observation, surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy.

The following table summarizes the difference between medulloblastoma and ependymoma.

Summary – Medulloblastoma vs Ependymoma

A brain tumor or cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain or near it. Brain tumors that begin in the brain are called primary brain tumors. Medulloblastoma and ependymoma are two primary brain tumors that are common in young children. However, medulloblastoma is a primary brain tumor that originates from the cerebellum or brainstem, while ependymoma is a primary brain tumor that originates from the ependymal cells in the brain or spinal cord. This is the main difference between medulloblastoma and ependymoma.

FAQ: Medulloblastoma and Ependymoma

1. What is the survival rate for medulloblastoma?

• The five-year survival rate for medulloblastoma is approximately 80.6 percent.  However, prognosis depends on many factors such as tumor molecular group, staging, extent of resection, person’s age and health, and response to treatment.

2. What does medulloblastoma feel like?

• The symptoms of medulloblastoma include night-time or morning headache, gait problems, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, double vision, head bobbing, nystagmus or an abnormal, side-to-side movement of the eyes, lethargy, and hydrocephalus.

3. What is the best treatment for medulloblastoma?

• The best treatment for medulloblastoma involves surgery to safely remove as much of the tumor as possible while minimizing damage to the surrounding brain tissue. Other treatments include chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, and radiation therapy.

4. Where is the most common location of ependymomas?

• Ependymomas can develop anywhere in the central nervous system, but they frequently form near the brain’s ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. In rare cases, they can also form outside the central nervous system, such as in the ovaries.

5. Is ependymoma cancer curable?

• The five-year relative survival rate for ependymoma is 88.2 percent. However, many factors can affect the prognosis of ependymoma. Moreover, ependymoma can be treated through respective surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy.

 Reference:

1. “Medulloblastoma Cancer: Prognosis, Symptoms, Histology & Survival Rate.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “What Is Ependymoma: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Medulloblastoma with rosettes” By Jensflorian – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Myxopapillary ependymoma – high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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