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Oligodendroglioma is a brain tumor that arises from oligodendrocytes and can cause symptoms such as seizures, balance difficulties, and nausea. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and physical therapy. Life expectancy varies depending on the type of cancer, with grade I tumors having a life expectancy of about 10 years and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas having a life expectancy of less than eight years. A patient’s attitude may also impact prognosis.
An oligodendroglioma is a type of brain tumor that arises from oligodendrocytes, cells that make up part of the brain’s supportive tissue. These tumors are most commonly seen in the brain, and the average age of patients at diagnosis is 35 years. The prognosis for patients with this cancer varies depending on what type of cancer the patient has and when the diagnosis occurs. Life expectancy with oligodendroglioma can range from three to 10 years and, of course, there are patients who are outliers, which defy expectations.
Patients with this type of cancer experience symptoms such as seizures, balance difficulties, and nausea. In a medical imaging study such as an MRI or CT scan, the cancer can be seen in the brain and may have small spots due to the calcium deposits that can form within an oligodendroglioma. Low-grade tumors, also known as grade I tumors, tend to have very clear margins and grow slowly. High-grade tumors, known as anaplastic oligodendrogliomas or grade II tumors, grow more rapidly and aggressively.
There are several treatment options for oligodendroglioma. Surgery is often recommended to remove the tumor, especially if the margins appear to be clear, which would allow for complete removal of the cancerous tissue. Radiation and chemotherapy can also be used to shrink the tumor. Patients suffering from neurological impairment may also find physical therapy sessions helpful.
When a patient is diagnosed with oligodendroglioma, a neurologist may want to perform a comprehensive exam to determine whether or not the cancer has damaged key areas of the brain and to establish a baseline to refer to during treatment. Patients often experience ups and downs during treatment as their neurological function changes and it can be helpful to know where the patient was to begin with.
A patient diagnosed with anaplastic oligodendroglioma has a life expectancy that is usually less than eight years and can be as short as three years. Slower growing grade I tumors have a life expectancy of about 10 years. Doctors can provide more specific information on particular cases, based on the patient’s general health, age, and many other factors that can impact life expectancy. Studies also seem to suggest that a patient’s attitude can sometimes impact prognosis; patients who are willing to fight may live longer, although this is not always the case.
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