Abnormal Chromosome Serves as Prognosis Indicator for Rare Brain Tumor

The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) recently performed an analysis of clinical trial results demonstrating that a chromosomal abnormality — specifically, the absence (co-deletion) of chromosomes 1p and 19q — has definitive prognostic and predictive value for managing the treatment of adult patients with pure and mixed anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. The presence of the chromosomal abnormality was linked with a substantially better prognosis and near-doubling of median survival time when treatment combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy was tested against treatment with radiation therapy alone.

Oligodendrogliomas are uncommon tumors representing approximately four percent of all brain tumors. Mixed oliogdendrogliomas (those also containing astrocytic elements) account for one percent of all brain tumors. Pure and mixed oligodendrogliomas that contain anaplastic (malignant) cells tend to grow more quickly than non-anaplastic tumors. For more information, click here to read the full release.