children s health issues
Ependymomas
Symptoms of Ependymomas
Symptoms of ependymomas depend on the location of the tumor. For ependymomas in the supratentorial area, symptoms can include changes in mood or personality, difficulty concentrating, headaches, seizures, and abnormal function of a specific area of the body. For ependymomas in the posterior fossa, symptoms are typically related to increased pressure within the skull (intracranial pressure). Infants may not meet developmental milestones. They may be irritable, have an increased head circumference, and have no appetite. Older children have nausea, vomiting, headaches, listlessness, and problems with balance, coordination, and walking. For ependymomas in the spinal cord, symptoms may include back pain, weakness, numbness/tingling, and difficulty controlling urination and bowel movements. 