Brain cancer cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of cancerous cells from an oligodendroglioma. Oligodendrogliomas are a type of tumour that arise from oligodendrocytes, one of the types of cells that make up the supportive, or glial, tissue of the brain. They can be low-grade (grade II) or high-grade (grade III, or anaplastic). About 4% of primary brain tumors are oligodendrogliomas. Because of their generally slow growth, oligodendrogliomas are often present for years before they are diagnosed. The most common symptoms are seizures, headaches, and personality changes. If the tumor is accessible, standard treatment for oligodendroglioma is surgical removal of as much of the tumor tissue as possible. Magnification: x 2000 when printed at 10cm wide.
