Re: Oligodendroglioma

Posted By CCF MD GS on June 11, 1998 at 08:53:18:

In Reply to: Oligodendroglioma posted by Mary Z on June 11, 1998 at 05:00:16:






In 1979, my daughter, age 7, was diagnosed with Oligodendroglioma and treated successfully.  She is 26 now.  There has been no followup for her for 15+ years.  She does and has since her operation and treatments show signs of memory loss & is easily frustrated.  My question is whether we need to be concerned about having periodic brain scans to determine if the tumor recurs.  We have never done this and her neurologist has retired a number of years ago.  (The original tumor was discovered by an accidental bump to her head while playing with other children.)  Because of how the original turmor was activated, I am concerned that, even though she shows no sign of a tumor, that one could lay dormant for a number of years before activating.  Am I being paranoid?  Thank you for your response.  Mary




Thanks for your question Mary. I think you are being a wise parent and not paranoid. Oligos are primary brain tumors and in the classification of gliomas. They are by definition malignant tumors and as far as we know not curable. That should not be confussed with treatable. Oligos are usually very responsive to radiation therapy and chemo. The aggressiveness of oligos is based on the histopathological appearance (how it looks under the microscope). I assume since your daugther is doing so well that she had a low grade tumor. The natural history is that these tumors will upgrade to a more aggressive form at some point in a patients life. She should be followed by a neurologist and undergo scanning at a to be determined interval. Tumor location can have a large influence on things like memory and fuctional status. We have a comprehensive brain tumor group at CCF and if you wish an evaluation please call 216 444 5559. Good luck
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