Oligodendroglioma
Oligodendroglioma is a rare tumor that develops in the brain with no known cause. It tends to have a higher survival rate compared to most other brain tumors, but early diagnosis and treatment are key.
Oligodendroglioma belongs to a group of brain tumors called gliomas. Gliomas are primary tumors. This means they originated in the brain rather than spreading from elsewhere in the body.
The National Brain Tumor Society reports that around 1.2% of all brain tumors are classified as an oligodendroglioma. They are typically divided into two types:
grade 2 (slow growing)
grade 3 (fast growing)
Oligodendroglioma is more commonly diagnosed in adults, though young children can also be affected.
Life expectancy and survival rate
According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate for people with an oligodendroglioma is as follows:
90% for those ages 22 to 44 years
82% for those ages 45 to 54 years
69% for those ages 55 to 64 years
The relative survival rate suggests how long someone with a condition may live after receiving their diagnosis compared to someone without the condition of the same race, sex, and age over a specific time. This is different from overall survival rate, which is a percentage of people still alive for a specific time after receiving a diagnosis.
It's most important to remember that these figures are estimates, and everyone is different. You can talk with your doctor about your specific condition. Several factors can affect your survival rate, including the grade of the tumor and how early it was diagnosed, as well as your overall health.
Symptoms
Oligodendroglioma can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. Seizure is the most common symptom — about 60% of people experience a seizure before receiving an oligodendroglioma diagnosis, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Other symptoms include:
headache
cognitive changes
weakness or numbness in the limbs
issues with balance or movement
However, the symptoms you experience can vary based on the size of the tumor and which part of your brain the tumor is growing in.
What are the causes?
There are no known causes of oligodendroglioma.
Genetic changes are thought to play a role in the development of oligodendroglioma. Factors such as radiation exposure may also increase the risk of developing this type of tumor.
Treatment options
There are a number of treatment options available. You and your doctors will work together to decide what's the best course of action is in your case. Your medical team will base their decisions upon a number of factors, including:
your overall health
the grade and location of your tumor
the final diagnosis given by a neurosurgeon
Surgery
Surgery is typically the first-line treatment for oligodendroglioma. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
Other treatment
If the tumor cannot be completely removed with surgery, additional treatment may be used to avoid recurrence, such as:
Radiation therapy: This involves the use of high energy rays. It's typically used after surgery to help kill any tiny fragments of the tumor that may remain.
Chemotherapy: This treatment uses cytotoxic drugs to help kill cancer cells and can be used before and after radiotherapy. It's also useful for shrinking brain tumors, particularly those that cannot be surgically removed.
Targeted therapy: This treatment can be used to slow tumor regrowth.
Clinical trials: Your doctor may recommend enrolling in a clinical trial to test potential new treatment options.
Antiseizure medication: If you experience seizures, these medications will likely be a part of your treatment plan.
Outlook and recurrence
The outlook for oligodendroglioma tumors depends on factors such as the tumor grade, the overall health of the person with the diagnosis, and how early the tumor was diagnosed.
People who receive a diagnosis and begin treatment early have a higher chance of survival.
Overall, those who have an oligodendroglioma tend to have a higher survival rate than most other brain tumors. Many treatment options are available, and oligodendroglioma appears to respond well to treatment. It's unusual to be able to completely remove the tumor, but it's possible to prolong the life of someone with an oligodendroglioma.
Successful treatment plans often employ several methods. This reduces the chance that the tumor will recur.
Like all other gliomas, oligodendroglioma has a very high rate of recurrence and often gradually increases in grade over time. Recurrent tumors are often treated with more aggressive forms of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
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