Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/4/2010

Question
My husband had a grade II oligodendroglioma partially resected 17 years ago; in 2008, had a recurrent tumor treated with Temodar for 1 year.  Scan was clear in March of 2009 and in June, he had a 2 x 1 cm mass which he had surgery for and is now considered grade IV glioma.  Is this still considered an oligodendroglioma and what is the life expectancy.  He'll be starting Temodar again.

Answer
It may but that is not certain. I suppose the removed tumor of June was checked by a pathologist. Especially as it is now regarded as a grade IV (4) glioma. Also oligodendrogliomas are a kind of gliomas. Only the pathology report of that later tumor can tell us if it is still regarded as a oligodendroglioma or not based on what its tissues look like. What is clear however is that its grade has changed from a II (2) to a IV (4). That change - not uncommon in these situations - means that it now is far more malignant and with a much worse prognosis than back then. Was he given radiation therapy too 17 years ago? If so no more radiation can probably be given now. If so Temodar remains the only available treatment. Unfortunately his survival time will now probably be quite shorter than a year maybe as short as some months only. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!




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