Oligodendroglioma Treatment- Cancer/Oncology, Neurosurgery
Oligodendroglioma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.
Oligodendroglioma is a primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor. This means it begins in the brain or spinal cord.
What are the grades of oligodendrogliomas?
Oligodendrogliomas are grouped in two grades based on their characteristics.
- Grade II oligodendrogliomas are low grade tumors. This means the tumor cells grow slowly and invade nearby normal tissue. In many cases, they form years before being diagnosed as no symptoms appear.
- Grade III oligodendrogliomas are malignant (cancerous). This means they are fast-growing tumors. They are called anaplastic oligodendriogliomas.
Who is diagnosed with oligodendrogliomas?
Oligodendrogliomas occur most often in people between the ages of 35 and 44 but can occur at any age. Oligodendrogliomas occur slightly more often in males and are rare in children.
What causes oligodendrogliomas?
The cause of most oligodendrogliomas is not known. Exposure to radiation and certain gene changes that can be passed down through families have been linked to a higher chance of developing oligodendrogliomas.
Where do oligodendrogliomas form?
Oligodendrogliomas are commonly found in the white matter and the outer layer of the brain, called the cortex, but can form anywhere in the CNS. These tumors are called oligodendrogliomas because the cells resemble oligodendrocytes, a type of brain cell that supports and insulates nerve fibers in the CNS.
Do oligodendrogliomas spread?
Oligodendrogliomas can spread to other areas of the CNS through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), but is uncommon. Oligodendrogliomas rarely spread outside of the CNS to other organs.
What are the symptoms of an oligodendroglioma?
Symptoms related to oligodendrogliomas depend on the tumor’s location. The most common sign of an oligodendroglioma is a seizure. Around 60% of people have a seizure before being diagnosed. Other symptoms people may have are headaches, problems with thinking and memory, weakness, numbness, or problems with balance and movement.
What are the treatment options for oligodendrogliomas?
The first treatment for an oligodendroglioma is surgery, if possible. The goal of surgery is to obtain tissue to determine the tumor type and to remove as much tumor as possible without causing more symptoms for the person. Treatments after surgery may include radiation, chemotherapy, or clinical trials.
Clinical trials, with new chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy drugs, may also be available and can be a possible treatment option. Treatments are decided by the patient’s healthcare team based on the patient’s age, remaining tumor after surgery, tumor type, and tumor location.
Your oncologist might recommend a combination of medications - procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine. A chemotherapy called temozolomide is also being studied in clinical trials.
What do oligodendrogliomas look like on an MRI?
Oligodendrogliomas usually appear as a single tumor with well-defined borders. The tumor may enhance with contrast and is most often seen in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. Oligodendrogliomas tend to have some swelling around them.
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