• Bo Wang, Minjun Yan, Bo Han, Xing Liu, and Pinan Liu.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing , China.
• Neurosurgery. 2024 Sep 1; 95 (3): 651659651-659.

Background And ObjectivesPosterior fossa ependymomas (PFEs) are rare brain tumors classified as PF-EPN-A (PFA) and PF-EPN-B (PFB) subgroups. The study aimed to evaluate the prognosis and survival outcomes in PFEs, with a focus on the impact of molecular subgroups.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 412 patients with PFEs. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted to evaluate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival. Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess the prognostic factors. A nomogram was developed to predict the OS rates of PFEs.ResultsThe study revealed significant differences between PFA and PFB in patient and tumor characteristics. PFAs were associated with poorer OS (hazard ratios [HR] 3.252, 95% CI 1.777-5.950, P < .001) and progression-free survival (HR 4.144, 95% CI 2.869-5.985, P < .001). World Health Organization grade 3 was associated with poorer OS (HR 2.389, 95% CI 1.236-4.617, P = .010). As for treatment patterns, gross total resection followed by radiotherapy or the combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy yielded the most favorable OS for PFA ( P = .025 for both), whereas gross total resection followed by radiotherapy rather than observation showed improved OS for PFB ( P = .046). The nomogram demonstrated a high degree of accuracy and discrimination capacity for the prediction of OS rates for up to 10 years. In addition, 6 cases of PFA (3.51%) with H3K27M mutations were identified.ConclusionPFAs demonstrate worse prognosis and survival outcomes compared with PFBs. Both PFAs and PFBs necessitate maximal resection followed by intensive adjuvant therapies in long-term effects.Copyright © Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2024. All rights reserved.

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