Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisIs Oligodendroglioma Curable?What Is the Survival Rate for Oligodendroglioma?Coping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Is Oligodendroglioma Curable?
What Is the Survival Rate for Oligodendroglioma?
Coping
Oligodendrogliomasare rare tumors found in the brain or spinal cord. These tumors develop from cells calledoligodendrocytes, which make up protective tissue in the brain and spine.
Oligodendrogliomas can be successfully treated, but the outlook varies depending on the location and grade of the tumor.
This article will discuss the types, symptoms, and causes of this condition. It also addresses the prognosis and treatment options available for oligodendrogliomas.
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Types of Oligodendroglioma
Oligodendrogliomas can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). They usually form in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain but occasionally occur in the spinal cord.
Oligodendrogliomas are categorized into two types, based on how fast the tumor grows, including:
What Do Oligodendrogliomas Look Like?Oligodendrogliomas are usually soft, grayish-pink tumors. They commonly contain mineral deposits,cysts, or areas ofhemorrhage. These tumors usually have some swelling around them.
What Do Oligodendrogliomas Look Like?
Oligodendrogliomas are usually soft, grayish-pink tumors. They commonly contain mineral deposits,cysts, or areas ofhemorrhage. These tumors usually have some swelling around them.
Oligodendroglioma Symptoms
Aseizureis the most commonsymptom of an oligodendrogliomatumor. About 60% of people experience a seizure before being diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma.
Other symptoms may include:
Researchers don’t know the exactcause of oligodendrogliomas, but genetics seem to be a factor.
Certain genetic mutations, specifically abnormalities involving the loss of chromosomes 1p and 19q, appear to play a role in the development of oligodendrogliomas.
Being exposed to significantradiationfrom X-rays or cancer treatment may also increase your chances of developing an oligodendroglioma.
Who Is Likely to Develop Oligodendrogliomas?While they can affect anyone, oligodendrogliomas are most common in adults aged 35-44. They occur more often in males and are rare in children.
Who Is Likely to Develop Oligodendrogliomas?
While they can affect anyone, oligodendrogliomas are most common in adults aged 35-44. They occur more often in males and are rare in children.
The following tests are performed to diagnose an oligodendroglioma:
Other specialized tests may be performed to help a physiciandiagnose an oligodendroglioma.
Treatments for an oligodendrogliomadepend on the grade, type, and location of the tumor.
Treatment options include:
For someone who can’t undergo surgery, chemotherapy and radiation may be used together as the primary treatment of choice.
Clinical Trials for OligodendrogliomasClinical trials are currently underway to test newer treatments for oligodendrogliomas. Currently, researchers are looking at targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and chemotherapies. Talk to your physician to see if you qualify for a clinical trial.
Clinical Trials for Oligodendrogliomas
Clinical trials are currently underway to test newer treatments for oligodendrogliomas. Currently, researchers are looking at targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and chemotherapies. Talk to your physician to see if you qualify for a clinical trial.
Oligodendrogliomas are estimated to account for 1.3% ofbrain tumorsin the United States with approximately 1,100 new diagnoses each year.
Oligodendroglioma prognosis will depend on the location of the tumor, the selected treatment, your overall health, age, and other factors.It’s important to remember that statistics may not reflect your specific case.
Some people with oligodendrogliomas live without symptoms. Others will need ongoing treatment to control the growth and spread of their tumor.
What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider?If you are diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma, ask your physician or oncologist:Is my tumor cancerous or noncancerous?What type of treatment do you recommend?What are the chances that the treatment will cure my condition?How can I manage the side effects of treatment?Am I a candidate for a clinical trial?
What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider?
If you are diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma, ask your physician or oncologist:Is my tumor cancerous or noncancerous?What type of treatment do you recommend?What are the chances that the treatment will cure my condition?How can I manage the side effects of treatment?Am I a candidate for a clinical trial?
If you are diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma, ask your physician or oncologist:
If you’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumor, such as an oligodendroglioma, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed.
You may have to deal with speech, thinking, balance, cognitive, or motor skill challenges. Additionally, you may experience seizures or headaches that interfere with your daily life. Certain therapies and medications are available for many of these problems.
It’s also important to take care of yourself, which includes eating a healthy diet, exercising if you can, and getting enough sleep.
Summary
Oligodendrogliomas are rare brain tumors that cause neurological symptoms. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are typical treatment methods for this condition. The five-year survival rate for oligodendrogliomas is encouraging and new therapies are currently being investigated. Getting an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment improves your outlook for oligodendrogliomas.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of California San Francisco.Oligodendroglioma.National Cancer Institute.Oligodendroglioma diagnosis and treatment.NIH: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Oligodendroglioma.Center for Cancer Research.Oligodendroglioma and Other IDH-Mutated Tumors: Diagnosis and Treatment.Weill Cornell Medicine.Diagnosing and Treating Oligodendrogliomas.American Brain Tumor Association.Oligodendroglioma and Oligoastrocytoma.American Brain Tumor Association.Oligodendroglioma.Liu S, Liu X, Xiao Y, Chen S, Zhuang W.Prognostic factors associated with survival in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma.PLOS ONE. 2019;14(1):e0211513. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211513
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of California San Francisco.Oligodendroglioma.National Cancer Institute.Oligodendroglioma diagnosis and treatment.NIH: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Oligodendroglioma.Center for Cancer Research.Oligodendroglioma and Other IDH-Mutated Tumors: Diagnosis and Treatment.Weill Cornell Medicine.Diagnosing and Treating Oligodendrogliomas.American Brain Tumor Association.Oligodendroglioma and Oligoastrocytoma.American Brain Tumor Association.Oligodendroglioma.Liu S, Liu X, Xiao Y, Chen S, Zhuang W.Prognostic factors associated with survival in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma.PLOS ONE. 2019;14(1):e0211513. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211513
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of California San Francisco.Oligodendroglioma.National Cancer Institute.Oligodendroglioma diagnosis and treatment.NIH: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Oligodendroglioma.Center for Cancer Research.Oligodendroglioma and Other IDH-Mutated Tumors: Diagnosis and Treatment.Weill Cornell Medicine.Diagnosing and Treating Oligodendrogliomas.American Brain Tumor Association.Oligodendroglioma and Oligoastrocytoma.American Brain Tumor Association.Oligodendroglioma.Liu S, Liu X, Xiao Y, Chen S, Zhuang W.Prognostic factors associated with survival in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma.PLOS ONE. 2019;14(1):e0211513. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211513
University of California San Francisco.Oligodendroglioma.
National Cancer Institute.Oligodendroglioma diagnosis and treatment.
NIH: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Oligodendroglioma.
Center for Cancer Research.Oligodendroglioma and Other IDH-Mutated Tumors: Diagnosis and Treatment.
Weill Cornell Medicine.Diagnosing and Treating Oligodendrogliomas.
American Brain Tumor Association.Oligodendroglioma and Oligoastrocytoma.
American Brain Tumor Association.Oligodendroglioma.
Liu S, Liu X, Xiao Y, Chen S, Zhuang W.Prognostic factors associated with survival in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma.PLOS ONE. 2019;14(1):e0211513. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211513
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