Case report. Anaplastic ependymoma of the spinal cord

An intraspinal ependymoma with cytological signs of malignancy and unusual further development was diagnosed in a 12-year-old boy. Only partial removal was possible and postoperative Co60 treatment was given. Ascending tumour growth was evident clinically in the spinal canal, and 3 months later signs of intracranial extension of the tumour developed. The patient died 6 1/2 years after the onset. Autopsy showed an anaplastic ependymoma with extensive intraspinal and intracranial growth. No other neoplasms were found. There was extraspinal extension of tumour into the laminectomy scar, but no metastases.