Ependymoma in cervical cord

Is there any other treatment for ependymoma in cervical cord in spite of surgery???    My mother has an ependymoma  in cervical cord ( bulbo- c5). It is with a  residual tumor, two years ago she had  a surgery with parcial resection and residual tumor (bulbo/c2) because of the localization of it. Nowadays she has sintomatology.  

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

As you know, tumors of the spinal cord can not always be completely resected due to their location and risks associated with spine surgery. Sometimes, only partial resection is possible; however newer surgical techniques, microsurgical techniques, have improved management of these tumors in some cases, allowing almost complete resection. Ependymomas of the spinal cord are not malignant in most cases, but rather cause symptoms and other problems due to their location. They usually grow slowly. Sometimes, when residual tumor is present, in some cases radiation or other therapy (such as chemotherapy) can be administered, though this is controversial. If there was only partial resection, but the tumor is not growing, sometimes only symptomatic management (treatment of the symptoms rather than the tumor) is done; other times, reoperation is done as well.

Evaluation at a neurosurgical spine center with an extensive experience with spine tumors (such as a tertiary care hospital, a university hospital) is recommended.

Thank you for using the forum I hope you find this information useful, good luck.