Living with Oligodendroglioma
A brain tumor that starts in supportive brain cells and often causes seizures, headaches, and personality changes.
Understanding Oligodendroglioma
These tumors can be low-grade (grade II) or high-grade (grade III, also called anaplastic). They can occur anywhere in the cerebral hemisphere but are most common in the frontal and temporal lobes. Other symptoms depend on tumor size and location. GARD lists onset as any time in life.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD says common symptoms include:
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Changes in personality
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and cancer specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Cancer specialists (oncologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the exact cause is unknown. Some tumors have a loss of parts of chromosomes 1 and 19 (1p and 19q).
Also known as: well differentiated oligodendroglial tumor; well differentiated oligodendroglial tumour; well differentiated oligodendroglioma; who grade ii oligodendroglial neoplasm; who grade ii oligodendroglial tumor; who grade ii oligodendroglial tumour
Patient organizations
- Alex's Lemonade Stand FoundationOligodendroglioma · United States
- Oligo NationOligodendroglioma · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Oligodendroglioma.
Explore research for Oligodendroglioma
Explore actively recruiting Oligodendroglioma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Oligodendroglioma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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