Our glioma specialists – a team of neuro-oncologists,
surgeons, pathologists and radiation oncologists – focus solely on the care of
children diagnosed with gliomas. The Glioma Program also offers families the
chance to have their child's tumor molecularly profiled (as
long as a biopsy can be taken), which may help identify opportunities for
targeted treatment.
Oligodendroglioma causes
The vast majority of children with oligodendrogliomas develop them spontaneously, and there is no identifiable cause. However, if your child has certain genetic syndromes, including neurofibromatosis type I and tuberous sclerosis, he may be at a higher risk of developing certain kinds of tumors, including oligodendrogliomas.
Oligodendroglioma symptoms
Due to the relatively slow growth rate of oligodendrogliomas, your child may have been having symptoms for many months by the time he sees the doctor, although symptoms can come on rapidly, too. While each child may experience symptoms differently, the most common ones are caused by increased pressure in the brain and include:
- headache (generally upon awakening in the morning)
- vomiting
- fatigue
Your child might also experience seizures and hemiparesis (weakness on one side of his body).
The symptoms of an oligodendroglioma may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
Diagnostic procedures for an oligodendroglioma may include:
- physical examination – Your child may demonstrate evidence of increased pressure in the brain.
- computerized tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan) – a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays. For an oligodendroglioma, a CT scan of the brain is usually done.
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. For an oligodendroglioma, MRIs of the brain and spine are usually done.
- electroencephalogram (EEG) – if your child is experiencing seizures, this procedure records his brain's continuous, electrical activity by means of electrodes attached to the scalp, and helps identify and localize seizure activity to a particular section of the brain.
- biopsy – a tissue sample from the tumor taken through a needle during a simple surgical procedure to confirm the diagnosis.
Your child’s physician will determine a specific course of treatment based on several factors. Some therapies will treat the tumor while others are intended to address complications of the disease or side effects of treatment. These treatments include:
Surgery and radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination.
There can be side effects related to the tumor itself or its treatment. Knowing what these side effects are can help you, your child, and your care team prepare for and, in some cases, prevent these symptoms from occurring.
The recommended treatment for progressive or recurrent oligodendroglioma is a second surgical procedure to remove the remaining tumor, followed by radiation therapy, chemotherapy or biologic therapy.
Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s offers a large range of new and innovative treatments for children with progressive or recurrent brain tumors not responsive to standard therapy. Search our clinical trials for relapsed and refractory cancer.
Oligodendrogliomas are associated with a high cure rate. Following complete removal of the tumor, the chance of long-term survival is near 90 percent. If the tumor is not completely removed and radiation therapy is needed, the prognosis still remains high, with survival rates ranging from 80 percent to 90 percent.