Surgical Care

See the list below:

Historically, surgery has been the mainstay of treatment for oligodendrogliomas. The extent of
resection depends in large part on the location of the tumor and its proximity to "eloquent" brain areas. If
possible, the goal is total resection of the tumor. In patients who undergo total gross resection, no further
treatment may be necessary, but the patient must be followed up for clinical or radiologic recurrence.
The optimal use of radiotherapy in the treatment of oligodendroglioma is not entirely clear. Although
differences of opinion exist regarding the efficacy of radiotherapy for oligodendrogliomas, radiation is used
routinely at diagnosis in patients who have undergone incomplete removal of nonanaplastic
oligodendrogliomas and generally is recommended for patients with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas
regardless of the extent of resection. Radiotherapy also is used at recurrence in previously untreated
patients. As systemic therapies are becoming available and more effective, delaying radiotherapy in many
patients may be prudent to avoid the toxic side effects of radiation to the nervous system.