Oligodendroglioma is a brain tumor that mainly occurs in adults. These gliomas are associated with various symptoms and can be divided into four WHO grades. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment significantly improve the prognosis of the disease.
Here you will find further information as well as selected specialists and centers for the treatment of oligodendrogliomas.
Oligodendrogliomas are glial tumors, i.e. brain tumors.
Under the microscope, their tumor cells resemble oligodendrocytes, which are also found in the brain. Oligodendrocytes are supporting cells that form myelin sheaths. Medullary sheaths are lipid-rich layers that are formed around the nerve cell processes of some nerve cells. Oligodendrogliomas, however, do not form these myelin sheaths.
Oligodendrogliomas usually affect adults between the ages of 35 and 50. However, younger patients can also develop the disease. This brain tumor occurs slightly more frequently in men than in women.
Oligodendrogliomas usually, but not always, develop in the frontal lobe of the cerebrum. More rarely, these tumors are located in the brain stem or cerebellum.
The WHO (World Health Organization) divides oligodendrogliomas into different grades. This classification provides information on the further prognosis and the recommended treatment options.
One classification criterion for tumors is generally the degree of malignancy. This refers to the benign or malignant nature of the individual tumor. Malignancy includes factors such as its growth rate and its tendency to spread to surrounding tissue.
An oligodendroglioma often only causes clear symptoms at a later stage. These are mainly
Normal headaches and headaches caused by a brain tumor are different.
Glioma-induced headaches occur very suddenly. They become increasingly severe within days or weeks. Painkillers usually do not help here, or only for a short time. The pain often gets worse when lying down and spontaneously subsides in an upright position.
If the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid is disturbed by the brain tumor, hydrocephalus("water on the brain") symptoms also occur:
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a relative, it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible.
The doctor first conducts a medical history interview with the patient. Here, the doctor asks the patient about their symptoms and medical history. This often allows the doctor to make a suspected diagnosis and also provides information on the causes of the disease.
If an oligodendroglioma is suspected, the next step is a neurological examination. This usually reveals the first clear indications of a brain tumor.
The suspicion can be confirmed with the help of a CTscan (computer tomography). X-rays shine through the brain and show it in many individual cross-sectional images. The doctor examines the images for unusual accumulations of tissue.
However, an MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) provides the most detailed overview. This is the best way for the doctor to detect possible irregularities in the brain structures.
Using MRI, doctors can check the brain for tissue abnormalities © Александр Марченко | AdobeStock
The examining doctor often confirms the diagnosis by ordering a biopsy. This involves taking a tissue sample and having it checked in the laboratory.
Other examination methods that are useful if a brain tumor is suspected include
The doctor decides which of the above examinations are suitable in each individual case.
There are currently no known exact risk factors that trigger an oligodendroglioma. Neither diet nor genetic factors (apart from a few individual cases) have been proven to be specific causes. As a result, there are no early detection programs or preventive measures that can detect or prevent oligodendroglioma at an early stage.
To make matters worse, the symptoms of a brain tumor often occur late. This makes it all the more important to consult a doctor as soon as these symptoms appear. Only with the help of imaging procedures can a diagnosis be made and appropriate treatment initiated.
So if you notice the symptoms described above, it is better to have them checked out by a doctor. In most cases, the earlier treatment is started, the better the prognosis.
Treatment depends on the WHO grade of the oligodendroglioma.
For second-degree brain tumors, doctors recommend surgical removal. If the tumor grows again after the operation or if there is a high risk of this, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is then advisable. These should prevent the tumor from growing again.
Doctors also treatthird WHO grade oligodendrogliomas with surgery and subsequent chemotherapy. They use the active substances PCV or temozolomide.
The removal of the tumorous tissue is followed by rehabilitation. Rehabilitation can improve the patient's quality of life, particularly if the disease has already led to neurological changes. This may include
The doctor treating the patient will advise them on which therapies will bring the desired success.
An oligodendroglioma is often accompanied by numerous symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment are also complicated and multi-layered.
In the case of brain tumors, specialists from various fields work together on an interdisciplinary basis.
The first point of contact for neurological complaints is the neurologist. They carry out the initial examination and neurological tests in order to narrow down the suspicion of a disease.
Radio-oncologists are specialists in the field of cancer imaging diagnostics.
Further diagnostic examinations and subsequent treatment are carried out by doctors
carry out. Ideally, an entire specialist team of these doctors will work together to achieve the best possible treatment success.
Oligodendrogliomas are brain tumors that require rapid treatment. If you suddenly suffer from severe headaches or neurological abnormalities, see a doctor as soon as possible.
They will carry out an initial examination and, if necessary, initiate further diagnostic measures. Rapid treatment is usually associated with a better prognosis.
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