Treatment advise for Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma grade III

solargo50 · New User Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 6

Hi All --

I recently had surgery to remove a tumor on my left frontal lobe. The good news was that they were able to remove all of the tumor. The bad news was that the lab reports shows thas it was a
Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma grade III tumor. The FISH report shows that chromosomes 1p/19q test is consistent with the loss of the 1p/19q.

I hope that someone out there has some experience with the proposed treatment proposals that my Dr's have proposed to me.

They are saying that have have two options -
1) Regional or Stereotacitc Radiation - 6 weeks of 5 days a week followed by Temodor chemotherapy for 12 to 24 month

OR
2) Temodor chemotheraphy for 12 to 24 months. Radiation only if recurrence occurs

I am meeting with the Radiation Oncologist on Friday to discuss the radiation option and describe where to to go from here.

Does any one have any information on how effective the chemo is with out the radiation?
The neuro-oncologists said that are short term side effects due to the radiation -- does any one have experience with these side effects? How long to they last?
They said there that could be long term effects -- how ever they didn't have any more different to share and suggested that I ask the radiation oncologist these question too.

Thank you!!

brainman

Hi solargo50. I am very sorry about your cancer. I have a grade III glioma as well. You can read my full story be going to the links in my signature block.

The 1p/19q deletion means that you have a better than average chance of a good response to chemotherapy. When I was diagnosed in 1992, my cancer was a grade 2 and I opted for only chemotherapy because of the dangers involved with surgery and radiation. However, when it recurred in 2005, I did all three. I too have the 1p/19q deletion although I did not know that in 1992. Back then, my doctors told my that I only had a 10% chance of surviving 10 years. I think the odd are much better now. In 2005, my doctor told me that it would probably recur again within 7 years. Out out lived the first prognosis and I plan to out live this one too. I expect that if or when it does recur, it will be in a more aggressive form.

I did not take Temodor either time. However, it is supposed to have less site effects than the PCV that I was on.

I too had stereotactic radiation in 2005-2006. I had it for 3 months. The side effects where minor. After each treatment I needed to take a nap is all.

I have some long term losses due to the cancer and post surgery scarring. My right arm and hand are weaker and some times I stutter if I try to talk. I also have some balance problems. But overall, I am great Wink

.

You are in my thoughts and prayers as you try to make this difficult decision.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Lu from Brazil · Regular Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Brazil

Hi there Solar,

I'm sorry to hear about your cancer. I hope you get through it!

Just yesterday my mom (age 54) had her definitive diagnosis of Anasplasic Oligodendroglioma gr.III on her left frontal lobe. She had surgery about 10 days ago to remove ~90% of her 6cm tumor, in one of the best hospitals in Rio, with a neurosurgeon that worked in German many years - so, I trust him and his team very much.

We're going through more or less the same things, I guess: this week we start seeing the oncologist - just hearing about that is a bit frightening. I'm really interested in knowing how your case will develop and the options you're making.

I'm also interested in details of your case. Mum didn't have any simptoms until a while ago, when she began having strong headaches and some nausea. She woke up one morning talking non-sense, the doctor said it was a side effect of nausea meds... probably it was that along with the tumor getting too big. Since then she's in perfect health and really lucid - we noticed just a little oddness in her talking and emitting opinions, otherwise she's alright even after surgery.

I'll keep you posted... It's so nice when we can share our fears...
May God be in your heart
See ya
Luciana
_________________
----------------
2007 The big Scare
Nov 24 Mum had headaches
Dec 6 MRI shows mass; commited
Dec 10 Surgery - 90% removal
Dec 19 diagnosed Oligodendroglioma gr.3

solargo50 · New User Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 6

Hi Lu and BrainMan thank you for your advise --

BrainMan -- It is reassuring to hear that you had only minor effects from the radiation.

Lu -- I does sound like your mom is going some of the same issues as me. I hope that she is doing well since her surgery. Did they check the 1p/19q deletion on her biopsy? They had to send that test to an outside lab for the results and it took several weeks.

My first symptom was a focal seizure last September. My original neurologist did a MRI and said I should wait until we saw some enhancement in the scan. A month later -- it grew and enhanced -- so I decided it was time to make an appointment to one of the Brain Tumor centers in LA.

I was fortunately in that they were able to remove all of the tumor that they could see using a awake surgery. However, according to the Dr's there are micro-spopic bits that needs to treated using radiation and/or chemo.

Tommorow I will be meeting with the onco- radiologist -- and we'll see what he recommends as well.

Thanks for the support --

Lu from Brazil · Regular Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Brazil

Hi Solar,

Today mum came back home, 12 days after surgery. She's doing incredibly well and we're so happy to see her strenght.

Well, she had more or less the same advise for treatment as you had on the first talk with the oncologist. That would be chem w/ Temodal (I guess it's the same as Temodor, it's some pills you take at home) plus radiation sessions. But that's the preliminary talks, we're waiting 2 weeks to see how the ressonance will look like after the swelling from surgery is gone. Time to enjoy the holidays at home! Very Happy

I guess the important things to discuss with the doctors are:
- whether it's worth to be agressive at this point of treatment;
- if the area of your tumor is feasible to suffer loss from radiation in the short and long terms;
- and how these proceedings may affect the odds of treatment in case of recurrence, specially the radiation.

That's the basics, I guess. I'm researching a lot on the web, I like it very much here in the forums, but I'm also looking for alternative terapies, dieting etc.

I'll keep you posted. Good luck! And Happy Holidays!
_________________
----------------
2007 The big Scare
Nov 24 Mum had headaches
Dec 6 MRI shows mass; commited
Dec 10 Surgery - 90% removal
Dec 19 diagnosed Oligodendroglioma gr.3

petrit · Regular Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 30

HI solargo50

I am sorry to hear about this tumor.
My father has anaplastic astrocytoma had an operation , done radiation whithout any problems at all , He is now in chemo ( temodal 5 days on / 23 off). The only regret is they didnt allow us to do radiation + 100mg of temodal at same time , combination of both may have shown a better result.
Mri after radiation was much better than before so radiation was a good thing to do, we may do another MRI this week to see how the tumor is reacting with chemo so i will let u know aswell. I hope u make a right treatment and everything goes well.

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