Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ependymomas are primary CNS neoplasms that arise from the ependymal cells of the brain and spinal cord, accounting for 3-6% of all CNS tumors. AIMS: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of ependymoma survival patterns and examines non-cancer causes of death in the US. METHODS: This retrospective study used data from SEER 17 registries between 2000 and 2019 to evaluate the incidence of ependymoma, as well as the survival and mortality trends in the US. RESULTS: A total of 3821 patients were included, with 842 (22%) deaths. The highest mortality was observed in younger patients (<18 years) within one year of diagnosis (SMR, 54.77; 95% CI, 38.95-74.88). Brain and other nervous system cancers were the leading causes of death, followed by non-cancer causes, particularly cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, influenza, and septicemia. The survival rates observed at one, three, and five years were 94% (95% CI: 0.94-0.95), 88% (95% CI: 0.87-0.89), and 84% (95% CI: 0.82-0.85), respectively. Conditional survival improved over time, with a three-year conditional relative survival rate of 92% after one year of diagnosis and 96% for those who survived five years. CONCLUSION: The death rate was highest among pediatric patients under 18 years of age. Cerebrovascular disorders were the leading non-cancer cause of death across all time intervals. The probability of surviving for three years increases for patients who have already survived one, three, or five years post-diagnosis.