Oligodendrogliomas are primary brain tumours which means they have originated in the brain instead of spreading from elsewhere. They belong to the group of brain tumours known as gliomas as they develop from a type of glial cell known as an oligodendrocyte.
Oligodendrogliomas are the third most common glioma, accounting for 2-5% of all primary brain tumours and 5-18% of gliomas. They are more common in adults, particularly in people aged 40-60.
As with most tumours, the cause is not known. This can be a difficult thing to accept and can leave you feeling helpless, but there is nothing you could have done to prevent this from happening.
Oligodendrogliomas are divided into two grades:
The majority of oligodendrogliomas occur in the frontal lobe, and the second most common site affected is the temporal lobe.
The treatment of an oligodendroglioma depends on whether a tumour is grade 2 or grade 3.
Some grade 2 oligodendrogliomas grow very slowly and you may be put on ' watch and wait' which involves close monitoring of your tumour using MRI scans.
If the tumour is large or causing symptoms, surgery may be performed to remove as much as possible if it is located in an area where it is safe to remove. If the neurosurgeon manages to remove all of the visible tumour cells, this may be the only treatment you receive and you might then be put on 'watch and wait'. If the tumour appears to have changed or grown, this is when your doctors will consider additional surgery or starting treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Many patients with a grade 2 oligodendroglioma will remain in remission (i.e. no signs of the tumour growing) for several years after surgery.
Like grade 2, grade 3 oligodendrogliomas are usually first treated with surgery. If the tumour is located in an area where it is safe to remove, the neurosurgeon will attempt to remove as much as possible. Oligodendrogliomas are often 'diffuse' meaning they have threadlike tendrils that extend into parts of the brain making it difficult to remove completely. After surgery patients will often receive a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Our FREE Brain Tumour Information Pack has been designed to help you through this difficult time, to guide you through the healthcare system, answer your questions, and reassure you that you're not alone so that you feel confident when discussing treatment and care options with your medical team.
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