Oligoastrocytoma

We met with the oncologist (Dr. Porter) today and learned a new word "Oligoastrocytoma". Everyone say that 5 times fast. OligoastrocytomaOligoastrocytomaOligoastrocytomaOligoastrocytomaOligoastrocytoma

Tumors are "graded" on a scale of 1-4, with 1 being benign and 4 being nasty malignant and mostly resistant to any treatment. This Oligoastrocytoma was graded a "2". It met some, but not all of the criteria for a 3, and the consensus was to keep it at a 2. For some reason they don't break it down to the tenths. I'm going to have to take that up with the American Cancer Soceity. Because the Oligoastrocytoma has some of the grade 3 criteria they are going to continue with an aggressive treatment of radiation combined with chemo therapy for 6 weeks; the old "one-two punch" as Dr. Porter likes to call it. After the 6 weeks, Jill will get a month off, then back on the chemo therapy but at a much lesser dose.
We also looked at the MRI taken last Tuesday and there was a noticable difference, now that the majority of the tumor is gone. It's looking much less like Abby Normal's brain (I know some of you will pick up on the movie reference). We could actually see the ventricles this time!!!
Dr. Porter presented Jill's case to the Mayo Hospital tumor board because it was rather unique, due to the size of the Oligoastrocytoma, the way she presented to the hospital, and how well she is recovering.
Jill's quote as we were leaving the hospital this afternoon sums it up "I'm so going to win!!!"