Outcomes of Malignant CNS Ependymomas: An Examination of 2408 Cases Through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Database (1973–2005)

• Published in: The Journal of surgical research Vol. 156; no. 2; pp. 340 - 351
• Main Authors: Rodríguez, Dayron, B.S, Cheung, Michael C., M.D, Housri, Nadine, B.A, Quinones-Hinojosa, Alfredo, M.D, Camphausen, Kevin, M.D, Koniaris, Leonidas G., M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.10.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; cancer; Central Nervous System Neoplasms - epidemiology; Central Nervous System Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Central Nervous System Neoplasms - surgery; ependymoma; Ependymoma - epidemiology; Ependymoma - radiotherapy; Ependymoma - surgery; Epidemiology; Female; General aspects; Humans; Male; malignancy; Medical sciences; Neurology; outcomes; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; radiation; SEER; SEER Program; Surgery; survival; Treatment Outcome; Tumors of the nervous system. Phacomatoses; United States - epidemiology; United States; ependymoma; malignancy; radiation; outcomes; survival; SEER; cancer; surgery; Nervous system diseases; Prognosis; Radiation; Central nervous system; Malignancy; Malignant tumor; Epidemiology; Survival; Result; Medicine; Malignant glioma; Treatment; 2005; Surveillance; Surgery; Malignant ependymoma; Central nervous system disease; Database; Evolution; Public health; Cancer
• ISSN: 0022-4804; 1095-8673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2009.04.024

Background Determine the role of surgery and radiation therapy for patients with malignant CNS ependymomas. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1973–2005) was queried. Results Overall, a total of 2408 cases of malignant ependymomas were identified. Of these, 2132 cases (88.5%) were identified as WHO grade II ependymomas and 276 cases (11.5%) as WHO grade III (anaplastic) ependymomas. The annual incidence of ependymomas was approximately 1.97 cases per million in 2005. Overall median survival for all patients was 230 mo, with a significant difference between women and men (262 mo versus 196 mo, respectively) ( P = 0.004). Median age at diagnosis was 37 y among females and 34 y in males. Patients who successfully underwent surgical resection had a considerably longer median survival (237 mo versus 215 mo, P < 0.001) as well as a significantly improved five-year survival (72.4% versus 52.6%, P < 0.001). Univariate analysis demonstrated that age, gender, ethnicity, primary tumor site, WHO grade and surgical resection were significant predictors of improved survival for ependymoma patients. Multivariate analysis identified that a WHO grade III tumor, male gender, patient age, intracranial tumor locations and failure to undergo surgical resection were independent predictors of poorer outcomes. Multivariate analysis of partially resection cases revealed that lack of radiation was a sign of poor prognosis (HR 1.748, P = 0.024). Conclusion Surgical extirpation of ependymomas is associated with significantly improved patient survival. For partially resected tumors, radiation therapy provides significant survival benefit.