Oligodendroglioma

Title

Categories:

Nervous System Diseases; Rare Cancers

Summary Summary

Oligodendrogliomas are brain tumors arising from oligodendrocytes, a type of cell that makes up the supportive (glial) tissue of the brain. They can be low-grade (grade II) or high-grade (grade III, also called anaplastic). While they can be found anywhere within the cerebral hemisphere, they are most common in the frontal and temporal lobes. They are generally soft, grayish-pink tumors that often contain mineral deposits (calcifications), areas of hemorrhage, and/or cysts. They tend to grow slowly and may be present for many years before they are diagnosed. Common symptoms include seizures, headaches and changes in personality. Other symptoms vary by the size and location of the tumor.^[1] The exact cause of opigodendrogliomas is unknown. Some appear to have a chromosome abnormality involving loss of chromosomes 1p and 19q.^[1]^[2] Treatment generally involves surgical removal of the tumor followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Recurrent tumors may need additional surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.^[1]

Last updated: 8/8/2016

Symptoms Symptoms

The Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) provides the following list of features that have been reported in people with this condition. Much of the information in the HPO comes from Orphanet, a European rare disease database. If available, the list includes a rough estimate of how common a feature is (its frequency). Frequencies are based on a specific study and may not be representative of all studies. You can use the MedlinePlus Medical Dictionary for definitions of the terms below.

Signs and Symptoms	Approximate number of patients (when available)
Autosomal dominant inheritance	-
Ependymoma	-
Glioblastoma	-
Glioblastoma multiforme	-
Somatic mutation	-

Last updated: 6/1/2017

Statistics Statistics

In the United States, a rare disease is defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people. This definition was created by Congress in the Orphan Drug Act of 1983. Other countries have their own official definitions of a rare disease. In Europe, a disease is defined as rare when it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people.

According to Orphanet, the annual incidence can be estimated at around one new case per 100,000 individuals per year. The prevalence is estimated at 1/300,000, but this may be an underestimate, as the condition is likely under-diagnosed.^[2]

The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) was formed in 1992 through the American Brain Tumor Association as a resource for epidemiologic data on primary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors represent only 2% of all cancers, with 35,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. According to CBTRUS, the incidence of oligodendrogliomas, including anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, is approximately 0.3 per 100,000 persons.^[3] Depending on the study, these tumors account for 4% to 15% of intracranial gliomas.^[1]^[3] Based on this data, it appears that these are rare tumors.

Last updated: 8/31/2016

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Research Research

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Oligodendroglioma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Organizations Organizations

Nonprofit support and advocacy groups bring together patients, families, medical professionals, and researchers. These groups often raise awareness, provide support, and develop patient-centered information. Many are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct people to research, resources, and services. Many groups also have experts who serve as medical advisors. Visit their website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

American Brain Tumor Association
8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 550
Chicago, IL 60631
Toll-free: 800-886-2282
Telephone: 847-827-9910
E-mail: info@abta.org
Website: http://www.abta.org

Do you know of an organization? Send us your suggestions.

Living With Living With

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Genetics Resources

To find a medical professional who specializes in genetics, you can ask your doctor for a referral or you can search for one yourself. Online directories are provided by GeneTests, the American College of Medical Genetics, and the National Society of Genetic Counselors. If you need additional help, contact a GARD Information Specialist. You can also learn more about genetic consultations from Genetics Home Reference.

Financial Resources

The Social Security Administration has included this condition in their Compassionate Allowances Initiative. This initiative speeds up the processing of disability claims for applicants with certain medical conditions that cause severe disability. More information about Compassionate Allowances and applying for Social Security disability is available online.

Learn More Learn More

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

The National Cancer Institute provides the most current information on cancer for patients, health professionals, and the general public.

In-Depth Information

Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Oligodendroglioma. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

News & Events News & Events

NCATS Co-Sponsored Conferences

Overcoming Barriers to International Clinical Trials for Rare Cancers Friday, December 10, 2010
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Description: The goals of this conference were to introduce key institutional players to the topic of international clinical trials in rare cancers and to establish an ongoing dialogue. Participants left the meeting with a set of specific priorities that need to be enacted to promote these trials. The meeting promoted consensus on the way that resources are prioritized to address rare cancers. Participants were asked to convey the content of the meeting to their constituencies and to follow up with pilot concepts.

Contact: Jack Welch, M.D., Ph.D., jack.welch@nih.govjack.welch@nih.gov

Co-funding Institute(s): National Cancer Institute, Office of Rare Diseases Research
- Summary ( - 46KB)

Related Diseases Related Diseases

The following diseases are related to Oligodendroglioma. If you have a question about any of these diseases, you can contact GARD.

Anaplastic oligodendroglioma

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