Hi Dr. Landolfi;
Here is the next question from the group. First though, I want to pass on the sincere "thanks" expressed by many of the group members for your assistance.
Do you have any idea why my tumor occurred where it did, and not somewhere else in the CSF pathway? Why is the floor of the 4th ventricle the most common spot of occurrence for ependymomas of the brain? Where along the spine is the most common spot of occurrence for spinal ependys?
Thank you (as always)
Bruce
The doctor's response...
Ependymomas arise from ependymal cells which line the ventricles of the brain. Historiccally thay are very common to arise from the floor of the fourth ventricle. This is the observation. As to why they occur there with more frequency may have to do with spinal fluid flow, but to my knowledge is not completely understood. Spinal ependymomas can occur anywhere but more commonly at the top or very bottom of the cord.
Dr. Landolfi