This is a group of tumors called gliomas that generally start in the brain or sometimes in the spinal cord. There are various forms of gliomas that are based on the types of glial cells. Oligodendroglioma is a form of tumor that develops from a type of glial cells called the oligodendrocyte which are the ones that make up the covering of the nerve cells called the myelin. This fatty white substance is important for the nerve signals to effectively travel along the nerves. These cancerous cells have the potential to spread to other parts of the brain or the spinal cord but don’t affect other parts of the body. Oligodendrogliomas develop among individuals in their 40s and 50s. It is estimated that around 3% of all brain tumors are considered to be oligodendrogliomas. The grade of the tumor is based on how the cells look when they are examined under the microscope. There are only two grades; grade 2 is low-grade that is a slow-growing tumor and grade 3 is the high-grade tumor that grows quickly.
Symptoms
As they are generally considered to be a slow growing tumor, they may be present for several years before the diagnosis is made. Some of the common symptoms of the condition include seizures, headaches, personality changes, feeling sick, difficulty speaking, weakness of an arm or a leg, problems with coordination and balance and problems with sight. The symptoms are usually based on the part of the brain the tumor is present. In some cases, the symptoms can become evident because of an increased pressure of the brain called the intracranial pressure. This can present headaches, feeling sick, confusion, problems with balance and sight.
Diagnosis
This is based on a brain biopsy which is considered to be one of the definitive diagnosis that involves a procedure to remove a sample of the affected tissue. This sample will be observed under the microscope to determine the grade of the tumor. Different forms of tests may also be required such as an MRI scan or a CT scan to determine the type of tumor.
Treatment
The treatment of oligodendroglioma is based on the location, the grade of the tumor and the health of the individual. This is important to help plan an effective treatment option. The main treatment option includes a surgery if the tumor can be surgically removed. Alternatively, radiotherapy or occasionally a chemotherapy can be initiated to treat these tumors. Some of the slow grading tumors may just be monitored with regular CT or MRI scans. In addition, other forms of treatment may also be required to provide relief from the symptoms.
References
http://about-cancer.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/brain-tumours/types/oligodendroglioma
http://www.braintumour.ca/4882/oligodendroglioma
