Has anyone else with IDH-mutant diffuse astrocytoma, grade 2?

My wife had a 4cm Astrocytoma Grade 2 IDH mutant on the right temporal lobe removed 3 years ago in 2020. It looked like it was totally removed.

She had another seizure last week and a CT scan at the hospital. They want do do another MRI to double check.

The area in question is adjacent to the removal site and looks more like a flowing milky area or edema. The oncologist reviewed her every 3 month MRI 3 weeks ago and said there were no issues and it looked clean. But last week she had a seizure and they did a CT scan and the oncologist thought there was enough reason to do another MRI right away.

I guess cancer could show up again in 3 weeks after a clean scan but it seems a bit unlikely after 3 years of clean scans.

Either the anti seizure medication is loosing its effectiveness or more cancer has returned in the last 3 weeks to cause another seizure.

Does anyone have any advice for a scared husband?

I am very afraid of what comes next and wanted to talk to someone that has been through this.

My wife had a 4cm Astrocytoma Grade 2 IDH mutant on the right temporal lobe removed 3 years ago in 2020. It looked like it was totally removed.

She had another seizure last week and a CT scan at the hospital. They want do do another MRI to double check.

The area in question is adjacent to the removal site and looks more like a flowing milky area or edema. The oncologist reviewed her every 3 month MRI 3 weeks ago and said there were no issues and it looked clean. But last week she had a seizure and they did a CT scan and the oncologist thought there was enough reason to do another MRI right away.

I guess cancer could show up again in 3 weeks after a clean scan but it seems a bit unlikely after 3 years of clean scans.

Either the anti seizure medication is loosing its effectiveness or more cancer has returned in the last 3 weeks to cause another seizure.

Does anyone have any advice for a scared husband?

I am very afraid of what comes next and wanted to talk to someone that has been through this.

So the genome analysis has been completed at the university and it is now identified as an Oligodendrogliomas IDH Mutant type WHO grade 2.

I have had a biopsy done for the analysis and identification. But any further resection will remove portions that control the motor pathway for the right (dominate) hand so quality of life would significantly be diminished.

Radiation will start on August 24 and followed with chemo after 30 treatments.

So the genome analysis has been completed at the university and it is now identified as an Oligodendrogliomas IDH Mutant type WHO grade 2.

I have had a biopsy done for the analysis and identification. But any further resection will remove portions that control the motor pathway for the right (dominate) hand so quality of life would significantly be diminished.

Radiation will start on August 24 and followed with chemo after 30 treatments.

Hi @jessetimmer, welcome. I'll be interested to learn more about your brain tumor story. @dgruk @leri @ginette55 all have experience with an astrocytoma, although I'm not sure about the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation being involved in their situations. Hopefully they'll share more.

Jesse, is this a recent diagnosis for you? Have you had surgery?

I am just diagnosed with this myself, I would love to talk with anyone going through any part of the process?

I am weighing going with any removal as the tumor is located in the left side motor control. I would most likely lose all function of the dominant hand and possible arm. The F-MRI show it there and the biopsy caused a temporary loss of function in the hand and fingers. 12 days post biopsy I have regained most of the strength and coordination in the hand.

What a story, Jesse. And a new baby girl is such a blessing to live for and inspire you to keep going. She is almost 3 now. Your wife is nothing short of amazing. I simply cannot imagine the depths of inner-strength she must've had to tap into to get her family (and herself) through this with you.

It's not everyone who can work through all those treatments. Did you experience fatigue that required your employer to make accommodations for you? You may wish to add to this discussion:
- Going back to work after cancer: Is this exhaustion normal? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/going-back-to-work/

Yes it will be 3 years this March 12th!! Thank God after surgery rehab I was able to go back to work with my employer.. I had a grade 2 Astrocytoma that was IDH Mutant which means really slow growing I could have been born with it!! It had finally got to golf ball size that's when I had seizures and the MRI revealed the tumor Thank God for Mayo Clinic and all their amazing staff of Drs nurse's and surgeons!! My surgery was 12hrs long and my surgeon Dr. Terrance Burns got 90percent of it!!! it was a bloody surgery and one of my nerves got cut during surgery so I lost my left side function since my tumor was on the right.. I went threw proton beam radiation to kill what was left and 9 months of chemotherapy pill form after that!! might I tell you still went to work everyday!! The tumor keeps shrinking to our surprise and no signs of regrowth..The only thing I still have but it keeps getting better is neuropathy on my left side and there is some cognitive side effects with how i use my body from surgery but nothing major!! Also might I tell you my amazing wife Abbie Timmer was pregnant with our girl Delaney Mae Timmer who we delivered a week after I got home on May 9th of 2019 which I thank God everyday too have such blessings!!