title: Supratentorial ependymomas in children: Analysis of nine cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intracranial ependymomas are the third most common primary brain tumor in children. In the present study, we set out to investigate the expression of p-53, p-27, bcl-2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and of neuronal markers in pediatric supratentorial ependymomas, in correlation with Ki-67/MIB-1 proliferation index and prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine children with supratentorial ependymomas that were treated surgically in our institute over the last seven years were identified and included in the study. The extent of resection was classified as gross total and subtotal, and was determined by MRI scans. The ependymal tumors were classified according to WHO classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Headache and seizures were the most common presenting symptoms and papilledema the most common sign. In seven cases, gross total excision was performed, and in two cases, the resection was subtotal. All ependymomas were anaplastic. Ki-67/MIB-1 was detected in 20-40% of the nuclei in all tumors. There was also increased expression of p-53, bcl-2, p-27, and EGFR. There was expression of neuronal markers in three cases. After a mean follow-up period of 32.1 months (range 16-74 months), eight children were alive. Five children suffered from tumor recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complete surgical excision should be the goal of surgery. The prognostic role of Ki-67, p-53, p-27, bcl-2, EGFR, and neuronal markers expression needs to be determined in multi-institutional studies due to tumor's rarity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia", Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Alexiou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moschovi
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stefanaki
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panagopoulos
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsotra
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siozos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sfakianos
authors.forename: Neofytos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prodromou
keywords: EGFR; Ki-67; bcl-2; cell cycle; children; ependymoma; p-27; p-53