Latest news with #survivalRate
Health Line
26-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Oligodendroglioma
Oligodendroglioma is a rare tumor that develops in the brain with no known cause. It tends to have a higher survival rate compared to most other brain tumors, but early diagnosis and treatment are key. Oligodendroglioma belongs to a group of brain tumors called gliomas. Gliomas are primary tumors. This means they originated in the brain rather than spreading from elsewhere in the body. The National Brain Tumor Society reports that around 1.2% of all brain tumors are classified as an oligodendroglioma. They are typically divided into two types: grade 2 (slow growing) grade 3 (fast growing) Oligodendroglioma is more commonly diagnosed in adults, though young children can also be affected. Life expectancy and survival rate According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate for people with an oligodendroglioma is as follows: 90% for those ages 22 to 44 years 82% for those ages 45 to 54 years 69% for those ages 55 to 64 years The relative survival rate suggests how long someone with a condition may live after receiving their diagnosis compared to someone without the condition of the same race, sex, and age over a specific time. This is different from overall survival rate, which is a percentage of people still alive for a specific time after receiving a diagnosis. It's most important to remember that these figures are estimates, and everyone is different. You can talk with your doctor about your specific condition. Several factors can affect your survival rate, including the grade of the tumor and how early it was diagnosed, as well as your overall health. Symptoms Oligodendroglioma can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. Seizure is the most common symptom — about 60% of people experience a seizure before receiving an oligodendroglioma diagnosis, according to the National Cancer Institute. Other symptoms include: headache cognitive changes weakness or numbness in the limbs issues with balance or movement However, the symptoms you experience can vary based on the size of the tumor and which part of your brain the tumor is growing in. What are the causes? There are no known causes of oligodendroglioma. Genetic changes are thought to play a role in the development of oligodendroglioma. Factors such as radiation exposure may also increase the risk of developing this type of tumor. Treatment options There are a number of treatment options available. You and your doctors will work together to decide what's the best course of action is in your case. Your medical team will base their decisions upon a number of factors, including: your overall health the grade and location of your tumor the final diagnosis given by a neurosurgeon Surgery Surgery is typically the first-line treatment for oligodendroglioma. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Other treatment If the tumor cannot be completely removed with surgery, additional treatment may be used to avoid recurrence, such as: Radiation therapy: This involves the use of high energy rays. It's typically used after surgery to help kill any tiny fragments of the tumor that may remain. Chemotherapy: This treatment uses cytotoxic drugs to help kill cancer cells and can be used before and after radiotherapy. It's also useful for shrinking brain tumors, particularly those that cannot be surgically removed. Targeted therapy: This treatment can be used to slow tumor regrowth. Clinical trials: Your doctor may recommend enrolling in a clinical trial to test potential new treatment options. Antiseizure medication: If you experience seizures, these medications will likely be a part of your treatment plan. Outlook and recurrence The outlook for oligodendroglioma tumors depends on factors such as the tumor grade, the overall health of the person with the diagnosis, and how early the tumor was diagnosed. People who receive a diagnosis and begin treatment early have a higher chance of survival. Overall, those who have an oligodendroglioma tend to have a higher survival rate than most other brain tumors. Many treatment options are available, and oligodendroglioma appears to respond well to treatment. It's unusual to be able to completely remove the tumor, but it's possible to prolong the life of someone with an oligodendroglioma. Successful treatment plans often employ several methods. This reduces the chance that the tumor will recur. Like all other gliomas, oligodendroglioma has a very high rate of recurrence and often gradually increases in grade over time. Recurrent tumors are often treated with more aggressive forms of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
The 6 shockingly easy-to-miss signs of the UK's deadliest cancers revealed – are you at risk?
THE six deadliest cancers in the UK have been identified in a new report - accounting for 67,000 deaths every year. The Government is now being urged to prioritise faster diagnosis of these cancers, after data revealed early diagnosis could save 7,500 lives annually. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Less Survivable Cancers has released a new report outlining the current deadliest cancers, which include: Brain tumours Liver cancer Lung cancer Pancreatic cancer Oesophageal cancer Stomach cancer In the UK, the current five-year survival rate for these cancers is just 16 per cent. And as it stands, just 28 per cent of these cancers are diagnosed at stage one or two, compared to 54 per cent of all cancers. The APPG has identified that faster diagnosis is critical for improving people's access to treatment and ultimately their chance of survival. But one of the barriers is early diagnosis, including the fundamental challenge of detecting these cancers early due to their often vague and non-specific symptoms. We look at some of easy to miss symptoms of each of the cancers below. Brain tumour Brain tumour symptoms can be difficult to spot and may develop slowly and subtly, or not at all, especially with slower-growing tumours. Symptoms can also be attributed to other conditions or overlooked. A headache, while a common symptom, is often easy to dismiss, but it can be an early sign of a brain tumour. I spotted a new lump on my body every day for a week - the cause was terrifying Brain tumour headaches are often described as dull, constant, and pressure-like, but they can also be throbbing. A headache that gets worse over time, doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, or is accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, seizures, or vision changes, should be evaluated by a doctor. Liver cancer 4 Liver cancer symptoms can be difficult to spot, especially in the early stages. Many people with primary liver cancer don't experience any symptoms until the cancer has progressed, or they may experience vague symptoms that are easily attributed to other causes. Everyone experiences tiredness at some point, and in many cases, it's a normal response to physical activity, stress, or lack of sleep. However unexplained fatigue is a common symptom of liver cancer, often occurring as the body struggles to cope with the cancerous cells. This fatigue is different from normal tiredness and doesn't improve with rest or sleep. Lung cancer People often associate lung cancer with a persistent cough that won't go away, breathlessness, and coughing up blood. But a common, yet easy-to-miss, sign is finger clubbing, where the fingertips and nails appear wider and more rounded, sometimes with a spoon-like shape. While lung cancer is the most common cause, finger clubbing can also be associated with other lung or heart conditions, as well as some gastrointestinal issues. It's important to remember that finger clubbing can have various causes, so if you notice changes in your fingers, you should consult your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions. Pancreatic cancer Unexplained or unintentional weight loss can be a normal occurrence due to various factors, including stress, changes in diet, or medication side effects. But it can also be a sign of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer can disrupt the body's metabolism, leading to a breakdown of muscle and fat, even without changes in eating or digestion. Unexplained weight loss related to pancreatic cancer often occurs before other, more noticeable symptoms like jaundice or abdominal pain. Oesophageal cancer Many symptoms of oesophageal cancer develop gradually, making it difficult to pinpoint when they began or attribute them to cancer. One symptom often overlooked is difficulty swallowing. While it can be a symptom of many different medical conditions, including nervous system and brain disorders, muscle disorders and physical blockages in your throat, it can signal the oesophagus narrowing due to cancer. A person with oesophageal cancer may feel like food is getting stuck in their throat or chest, and swallowing may become uncomfortable or painful. This feeling can worsen over time as the cancer progresses. Stomach cancer 4 Yes, stomach cancer symptoms are often vague and can be easily missed or mistaken for other conditions, especially in the early stages. Many early signs are common gastrointestinal issues, such as heartburn, indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain. A persistent feeling of fullness after eating small amounts of food, known as early satiety, can be an easily missed symptom of stomach cancer. This feeling, which may be uncomfortable and last longer than usual fullness, is a red flag that should be investigated by a doctor. To drive earlier and faster diagnosis, the APPG report recommends 12 actions for the Government, including investing in research and the implementation of detection tests and tools, supporting campaigns to raise awareness of the symptoms of the deadliest cancers and appointing a named government lead to develop and coordinate a strategy to improve survival rates. Paulette Hamilton MP, Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Less Survivable Cancers, said: 'Our inquiry has revealed that we are at a crucial moment for transforming patient outcomes and accelerating survival rates for the less survivable cancers. "We're on the brink of research breakthroughs and in the midst of developing potentially game-changing Government health reforms. In this backdrop, achieving faster diagnosis for these devastating cancers is finally within reach.' Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce, said: 'Late diagnosis costs lives, particularly in the case of less survivable cancers. Inaction is simply not an option. "As a country we must invest in greater research and support innovative detection tests to ensure that every patient diagnosed with these aggressive diseases receives timely and equitable access to the best possible care. 'For too long, the less survivable cancers have been left behind. The National Cancer Plan and Rare Cancers Bill offer a real opportunity to tackle the systemic barriers affecting earlier and faster diagnosis and drive further progress for the less survivable cancers and we need to see the Government grasping this opportunity with both hands.' Cancer screenings in England CATCHING cancer early gives you the best chance of survival, and a huge part of that is attending regular screenings. NHS programmes can help diagnose the disease, or your risk of it, and improve the likelihood of successful treatment. There are three national screening programmes in England: cervical screening, breast screening and bowel screening. "If you are eligible, please make every effort to have your screening test as they can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms. ," the NHS says. "Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective." Cervical screening This is offered in England to people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 and is routinely carried out every three years up to the age of 49, and every five from 50 to 64. Depending on the result, people may be recalled earlier. During a cervical screening, samples are tested for high risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all cervical cancers. Those that test positive are then analysed further. Breast screening Breast screenings, which involve an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel, are usually offered to women aged 50 to 71 in England. But the NHS is trialling them for women under 50 if they have a high risk of developing breast cancer. Bowel screening This test detects whether patients are showing any early signs of cancer. It is available to everyone aged 50 to 74, with at-home kits automatically sent out every two years, so make sure your GP has your correct address. The test involves providing a small poo sample to be checked for tiny amounts of blood, which could be caused by cancer. If you're 75 or over, you can ask for a kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60. Source: NHS
