Disability Affecting Patients Following Complete Resection of an Ependymoma

 

Patient selection: ependymoma

 

Ependymomas may occur:

(1) in the brain

(2) in the spinal cord

 

Although patients with tumor recurrence tended to have more problems, patients with complete excision had significant problems afterwards.

 

Half of patients in the study were unable to work.

 

General symptoms:

(1) fatigue

(2) numbness and/or tingling

(3) pain

(4) sleep disturbances

 

Symptoms in patients with a brain ependymoma:

(1) altered vision

(2) difficulty concentrating

(3) weakness

(4) irritability

(5) difficulty speaking

(6) difficulty understanding others (comprehension)

 

Symptoms in patients with an ependymoma in the spinal cord:

(1) weakness in one or more extremities

(2) sexual dysfunction

(3) radiating pain

(4) change in bowel function

 

Although not mentioned, psychological distress (depression, post-traumatic stress, etc) would be expected.