Different genetic mutations affect glioma in various ways. Identifying mutations can help you and your doctor understand your symptoms and prognosis, and make decisions about treatment for your glioma.

Testing for an IDH mutation in all patients with glioma is essential based on the most current guidelines.

After a brain scan, your tumor(s) may have been partially or completely removed, or a biopsy may have been performed. In either scenario, the tumor tissue will be sent to a lab for analysis. The lab will test the tissue for mutations like IDH1 and IDH2. Your glioma will also be tested for other mutations, such as a 1p/19q-codeletion, ATRX, and CDKN2A/B.

Your prognosis is what the doctor expects your disease to look like over time and what the outcome will be. If your glioma has an IDH mutation, the outlook is usually more favorable than if it does not have an IDH mutation. Discuss with your provider what your glioma’s mutational status means for you.