oligodendroglioma

[JGCobb]

I am trying to locate the exact area of my husband's brain tumor (diagnosed oligodendroglioma grade 2 at age 55 in  2006). The last MRI report says heterogeneously enhancing lesion within the left insula, ...slight increase in T2/FLAIR signal abnormality concistent with vasogenic edema now with extension into the mid frontal gyrus and effacing the adjacent sulcus. Could you explain what this means and tell me where the lopcation is, possibly direct me to a diagram that will show me more? We know the tumor is in a slightly different area than it was originally. He is in treatment (Temodar for the second time) for the third recurrence of his tumor. We have always been told it is in an area where surgery has not been an option. The oncologist does say he believes it is a higher grade. We think he believes it is glioblastoma but he won't say that definitely without doing another biopsy. My husband has had 27 radiation treatments, then 11 rounds of  Temodar 1 1/2 years later for a recurrence of the tumor. The tumor recurred in the 11th round of the chemo and he had Gamma Knife surgery (Aug. 2009). Now the tumor has recurred a third time and they are trying Temodar again. What other treatment options would you consider at this point?

[LivingInHope]

Has his doctor ever suggested you look into Tomo therapy?  Has the doctor said that gamma knife for this tumor in a slightly different area is not an option this time?

[JGCobb]

I haven't heard of Tomo therapy..guess I need to do some research. The tumor is too large for more Gamma Knife right now.

[rumpled]

The lesion is deep and gamma knife would have to pass through a lot of healthy tissue. Proton beam radiation would be a better option as it spares the healthy tissue and has less risk of necrosis. Only a few hospitals have proton beam units now has it is a relatively new form of radiation.