Oligodendrogliomas are believed to be tumors of cells called oligodendrocytes that have a role in the structure and function of the brain. The origins of these tumor cells has been questioned.
Oligodendrogliomas are classified as follows:
Low grade oligodendroglioma (less aggressive)
Anaplastic oligodendroglioma (more aggressive)
More common that pure oligodendrogliomas are low grade and anaplastic tumors that are a mixture of astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma ("oligoastrocytomas").
The initial treatment of low grade oligodendroglioma and oligoastrocytoma consists of maximal surgery. The role of radiation therapy has been disputed, but younger people with minimal residual disease after surgery may have radiation therapy deferred as long as there is adequate monitoring of the tumor by MRI or CT scanning.
Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and mixed oligoastrocytomas are more sensitive to chemotherapy than astrocytomas. A high rate of response to the use of PCV (procarbazine, CCNU, vincristine) chemotherapy has made the use of chemotherapy prior to radiation therapy the standard of care for these tumors. The actual effectiveness of this treatment regimen is currently being investigated in a large multinational trial.
Additionally, low grade oligodendrogliomas are also sensitive to chemotherapy, and PCV can be used when low grade tumors begin to grow despite prior radiation therapy.
Recent research has shown that high-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell support may provide benefit to selected patients with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas.
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Chemotherapy |
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Radiation Therapy |
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Clinical Trials |