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 neural 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 

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

You can get rid of this glial cell tumor, with a proper therapeutic option like the following oligodendroglioma treatment in Istanbul.

You can get rid of this glial cell tumor, with a proper therapeutic option like the following oligodendroglioma treatment in Istanbul.

1. Surgery

Oftentimes, medical providers make use of the surgical approach (brain surgery) to remove the entire tumor. In most cases, the patient is always awakened from an unconscious state and a couple of questions may be asked to track the brain activity. This treatment method is a very effective solution whose success rate is dependent on the type of oligodendrocyte tumor, its stage of progression, location, neurosurgeon experience, and many other variables.

2. Chemotherapy

Your specialist might also prescribe some chemotherapy drugs to kill the tumor cells. In most cases, the prescribed drug by your healthcare provider may be a PCV regimen or temozolomide which often plays a great role in destroying the abnormal oligodendrocyte. This medication can also be administered to patients after surgical treatment or people with a grade 2 type of disorder and can be used alongside radiation therapy.

3. Radiation therapy

This is a common treatment method that makes use of powerful energy beams to destroy cancerous cells. It often entails the emission of energy from x-rays, protons, and other sources with maximum precision of the location. These treatment methods often require the help of an expert to prevent damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Oligodendroglioma Prognosis Oligodendroglioma is a disorder that is relatively harmless and easier to treat. Research has it that oligodendroglioma's longest survivor spent about 35 years before death, however, because it's a tumor that is closely associated with the brain, it warrants careful attention. 

It's a condition many people aren't always aware of until an imaging test is carried out due to concurrent symptoms like headaches or seizures. After identifying the problem, most medical professionals often suggest treating the condition as soon as possible.

In some cases, oligodendroglioma grade 2 survival rate might take up to 5 years after diagnosis, but treating it at the early stage of detection is safe as it can lead to a fatal condition or even develop into cancer. In addition, reports have it that scientists are developing a new medication that will combat and improve oligodendroglioma caused by IDH mutation.

In summary, you might be shocked or afraid after finding out that you have a tumor of any kind in your brain, but oligodendrocyte tumors do not imply that there is no hope. It's a disorder that responds well to various forms of treatment, and the majority of patients often have a long survival rate. 

However, to ensure maximum treatment, you may need the help of any qualified oligodendroglioma specialist in Türkiye. These specialists are experts when it comes to the provision of suitable therapy and obtaining positive patient outcomes. You can book an appointment with any of them today to relieve yourself from unnecessary headaches.