Mom with High grade Oligoastrocytoma

CTTK06 · New User Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 7

Hello everyone,
I am new here and am hoping someone can help me. My mom was dx'd on February 5th and had a craniotomy on February 10th. She is four weeks into radiation and temodar. She is doing great, at least I think so. She was sick the first night but they changed her anti-nauseau meds right away and hasn't had a problem since. She is getting more tired each day but we were told to expect that. I like her doctors and am confident in them but I am still confused by her dx. We were told by the radiation oncologist that it is a Grade 4 Glioblastoma Oligodendroglialo. Her biopsy was sent to Mayo and that report indicates High Grade Oligoastrocytoma. From what I can find that is a mixed glioma...correct? In the report it states Grade 4 Oligoastrocytoma and that WHO classification would be glioblastoma with oligodendrolial components but they refrain from referring to these types of tumors as glioblastoms because the prognosis is better. She does have the 1p19q co-deletion. I guess my question is what should we expect? Yes it may be a favorable type but it is still a grade 4. Any information and/or advice is greatly appreciated. I am the oldest of two children but my brother is 14 yrs younger than me. I am married with two small children, who love their grandma dearly and my mom's power of attorney. We have a wonderful support system but I am the one responsible for any/all decisions, she is really relying on me.
Thank you
_________________
Tonya
Mom dx 2/10/09 51 yrs young
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendakamuda

brainman

Oh CTTK06, I am so sorry about your mother's cancer. Yes, on Olygoastrocytoma is what is called a Mixed glioma. Yes, usually when it is a grade IV, they call it a glioblastoma but this is not always the case. I was not able to find any statistics that compared survival rates of people with GBMIV vs those with a mixed glioma. Nevertheless, as you pointed out, it is still a grade IV and thus very aggressive. She is fortunate to have the 1p/19q gene deletions; the chances of have a good response to chemo is better for her. However, my hunch is that you are not looking at years but more like months of life. Most people with a GBMIV die within 24 months. Your mother might have a little longer.

I am so sorry that this is not better news for you. However, as I often say, a prognosis is just a statistical estimate. If my original prognosis had been correct, I would have died at least 8 years ago. I do like to know my prognosis but only in order to help me from some realistic goals for whatever time I still have left. After that, I try to forget the prognosis and just live one day at a time working to achieve those goals.

You did not give us the age and over all health status of your mother. Those two factors will also influence her survival. You might also ask her medical team about the IDH1 and IDH2 genes:

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=11964

You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Twitter: @JimHawkins54

CTTK06 · New User Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 7

Thank you so much for your reply. You have confirmed what I was thinking. I also have not found any statistics but come to the conclusion it is because the deletion is so rare and everyone responds differently. My mom is 51 and in overall good health. She has had high blood pressure and is a little over weight but nothing critical. We have had the best case scenario in every aspect so far so I am hoping that continues with her response to the chemo and radiation. The dr's have not given her a prognosis. I asked for one when she was not around and got somewhere between 12-24 months...again confirmed what you said. I have not told her but struggled with that decision. I do not want her to have any regrets, wishing she had done certain things so I have told her to think of things she would like to do while she is not working. Since the dr has signed her disability papers we can plan on her being off work for at least a year so what would she like to do before she goes back to work. That was the best way I could think of. Now she is thinking of things like spending more time with her 8 brothers and sisters and her mom who live 2 hours away. My husband and I are the only ones that know this prognosis so we stay as positive as possible and I stress only positive thoughts. My mom has told everyone how much that has helped so I am praying that the studies that show mind over matter and laughter helps are right. Thank you again for your response.
_________________
Tonya
Mom dx 2/10/09 51 yrs young
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendakamuda

brainman

Tonya, it sounds like in terms of local family support you are it? I know how that is. Both of my parents died of cancer and I was their primary care provider during the last months of their lives. Because of my job history and personal history with cancer, I too understood much more and much earlier than my siblings. It was very hard to help them understand what their mother and father were facing on a daily basis. I also needed them to help and support me through that time.

On of the "tasks" that is left you us care givers is to be a "dream factory" for our parents. You will need to help your mother find out things that she still would like to do with whatever time she has left. You can think of things that she might not think about. Ask her if she has friends that she would like to see or places she would like to go... or come up with your own suggestions for weekend trips. Obviously, these will depend on how she is feeling and you need to be flexible. But you can make a great difference in the quality of life that your mother has.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Twitter: @JimHawkins54

CTTK06 · New User Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 7

Jim,
Yes my husband and I are the main care givers. Some offer to help but as I am sure you know, at their convenience etc. I was able to get some travel ideas out of her this weekend. I took the approach of "since you will be off work for awhile" and she took it. Her last radiation treatment is Thursday so I am hoping we can plan a couple weekend trips within a few weeks.
Thank you for your help!
_________________
Tonya
Mom dx 2/10/09 51 yrs young
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendakamuda

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