WHO Grade II and III supratentorial hemispheric ependymomas in adults: case series and review of treatment options

Supratentorial ependymomas and their anaplastic variants are relatively uncommon central nervous system neoplasms that afflict both adults and children. Whereas the treatment algorithm in the pediatric population is well established, however, treatment in the adult population is less defined. In our case series of three adult patients with supratentorial ependymomas, two patients had tumors of WHO Grade III (anaplastic variant) and one had tumor of WHO Grade II. In all patients, gross total resection was achieved. Additional radiation therapy was administered in the Grade III patients. Twenty-four-month follow-up in case 1 yielded no tumor recurrence and no requirement of adjuvant chemotherapy. In case 2, tumor recurred with leptomeningeal gliomatosis by 6 months. Addition of platinum-based chemotherapy did not improve long-term survival; the patient succumbed to the disease after 14 months. In case 3 (WHO Grade II), no radiation therapy was required. Tumor did not recur during the 42-month follow-up. In our experience, gross total resection was achieved in all patients with hemispheric supratentorial WHO Grade II or Grade III ependymomas with additional radiation therapy for Grade III variants. All patients require initial close serial imaging and follow-up. The role of chemotherapy is still uncertain but may be necessary in younger patients who may have tumors that behave more like the pediatric ependymomas.