Oligodendroglioma | Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of oligodendroglioma?
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
- 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.
What causes oligodendroglioma?
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 | Diagnosis & Treatments
How are oligodendroglioma diagnosed?
It is important to consult a physician for a formal diagnosis. Possible diagnostic procedures for an oligodendroglioma may include:
- physical examination
- computerized tomography scan (CT or CAT scan)
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- electroencephalogram (EEG)
- biopsy
What are the treatment options for oligodendroglioma?
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 neurosurgery or radiation therapy
Surgery and radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination. While there can be side effects related to the tumor itself or its treatment, knowing what these side effects are can help and, in some cases, prevent these symptoms from occurring.
