Mixed Glioma

A mixed glioma is often a combination of an astrocytoma and an oligodendroglioma (see oligodendroglioma for more).

Characteristics

• Composed of two or more types of glioma cells
• Graded according to the most aggressive type of tumor cells
• Common among men and women in their 20s-50s
• Accounts for one percent of all brain tumors

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Weakness or paralysis
• Nausea and vomiting
• Visual problems
• Behavioral and cognitive changes

Treatment

Mixed gliomas are generally treated for the most anaplastic (cancerous) type of cell found in the tumor. For example, in the case of a tumor composed of an anaplastic astrocytoma and a low-grade oligodendroglioma, the treatment would be based on the anaplastic astrocytoma – the more aggressive of the two cell types.