Oligodendroglioma

One of the rare kinds of tumor that occurs as a result of a gradual proliferation of a special cell in the brain (or spinal cord occasionally) is known as oligodendroglioma. 

This is a neurological disorder that starts as a tumor within an oligodendrocyte. These supporting cells are responsible for the transmission of electrical signals throughout the nervous system.

Although this special kind of glial cell tumor is considered to be a malignant tumor, it's also regarded by most specialists to be a very curable neoplasm with a favorable prognosis.

What is Oligodendroglioma?

The word oligodendroglioma is said by most medical experts to be a neural condition that is coined from two Greek words known as oligodendrocyte and glioma. 

This oligodendrocyte is a unique type of glial cell that mostly supports the brain while glioma is known to be a cellular growth that is closely associated with the brain and spinal cord. Therefore, the abnormal growth of oligodendrocytes that causes various restrictions in their activities and other neural components is known as oligodendroglioma disorder.

Most of the time, this disorder often gives a pinkish-gray appearance consisting of hemorrhaging regions, calcified mineral deposits, and cysts. It's a tumor that can occur in any area of both hemispheres but is often located around the frontal or temporal lobe of the brain. 

In addition, these neurological disorders are commonly seen in adults and are frequently diagnosed by medical professionals to around 24,000 people annually.

Types of Oligodendroglioma According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), oligodendrogliomas are classified by a grading system into two main types. This grading scale is as follows:

• Oligodendroglioma grade 2: This grading usually grows slowly and is favorable to treatment. It is sometimes called low-grade oligodendrocyte carcinomas by many specialists.
  
  
• Oligodendroglioma grade 3: These are malignant oligodendrocyte tumors that spread quickly, and are more difficult to treat. It is previously known as anaplastic or high-grade oligodendrocyte cancer.

What are the Oligodendroglioma Symptoms?

Oligodendrogliomas like many other brain tumors, do not show any symptoms until they cause damage to the surrounding cranial tissue. Many times people having this disorder often experience symptoms like headaches or seizures, which occur as a result of an abnormal compression of the cerebral cortex.

Apart from the constant headaches or seizures, this condition can also affect some specific areas of your brain, causing certain symptoms in the affected cranial region. Some of these associated regional symptoms may be:

• Muscular paralysis or weakness particularly affecting a side of the body 
  
• Impaired hearing system 
  
• Phonological difficulties 
  
• Visual problems 
  
• Memory loss or mental disorders 
  
• Lack of concentration and focus
  

Causes of Oligodendroglioma

All oligodendroglioma are mostly caused by two distinct genetic alterations which are:

• 1p/19q co-deletion: An alteration or mistake in chromosomal duplication during cell division may cause an individual to develop cranial disorder. Many times, an elimination in the p arm of the first chromosome, and the q arm of chromosome 19 are often said to cause this disorder.
  
• IDH mutation: An alteration of certain genes that instruct the body to secrete isocitrate dehydrogenase (i.e. IDH1 or IDH2), which aids proper body metabolism can also cause this brain tumor
  

Oligodendroglioma Diagnosis 

Before any treatment, your doctor might suggest certain tests to know the type of your disorder. However, some of the various techniques that can be used for the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma in Turkey are:

• Neural Examination: Your medical provider will ask and check if you are experiencing any signs and symptoms in terms of vision, hearing, response, etc. However, if any issues are detected, this may serve as a guide to know the tumor's potential site. 
  
  
• Diagnostic imaging test: This is one of the most important tests that are usually carried out by a specialist to know the precise location of the tumor within the brain. Oftentimes, many physicians make use of an MRI or CT scan to obtain the patient's intracranial structures. 
  
  
• Brain Biopsy: After a series of physical and neural exams alongside the imaging tests, your specialist might suggest a brain biopsy which involves the collection of a tiny tumor sample. With this sample, a couple of processes are often taken in the laboratory to check if there is any microscopic alteration in the DNA that can lead to this disorder.

Oligodendroglioma Treatment

A proper therapeutic plan is used to manage this glial cell tumor. Treatment options often include:

• Surgery (Brain Surgery): The goal is to safely remove the entire tumor (maximal safe resection). In some complex cases, the patient may be woken up during the procedure to monitor brain activity. Success depends on the tumor's type, stage, location, and the neurosurgeon's experience.

• Chemotherapy: Medications prescribed to kill tumor cells. Common drugs include Temozolomide or the PCV regimen (Procarbazine, Lomustine, Vincristine). Chemotherapy can be used after surgery, as a primary treatment for Grade 2 tumors, or alongside radiation therapy.

• Radiation Therapy: This common method uses powerful energy beams (X-rays, protons) aimed with maximum precision to destroy cancerous cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Oligodendroglioma Prognosis

Oligodendroglioma is relatively easier to treat compared to many other brain tumors. Because it responds well to various forms of treatment, the majority of patients often have a long survival rate.

• The condition is often undetected until an imaging test is carried out due to symptoms like headaches or seizures.
• For oligodendroglioma Grade 2, the 5-year survival rate can be high, but early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent progression or fatal conditions.
• Ongoing research is focused on developing new medications that specifically target tumors caused by the IDH mutation.

A diagnosis of a brain tumor can be frightening, but oligodendroglioma is a disorder that responds well to treatment. For maximum treatment success, it is important to seek the help of a qualified oligodendroglioma specialist.