Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
A Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) OR Brainstem Glioma is a high grade, or malignant , cancerous brain tumor. This tumor primarily affects children and is the rarest and worst of pediatric brain tumors.
This type of tumor arises in the glial (supportive) tissue of the lowest, stem-like part of the brain, which controls many vital functions. Diffuse Pontine Gliomas account for 10-15 percent of all childhood central nervous system tumors. Brainstem- Gliomas are highly aggressive brain tumors. These tumors occur with equal frequency in boys and girls. There are no known factors or conditions that predispose an individual to the development of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas.
This type of tumor is considered terminal (survival rate is close to 0%), and survival time is typically twelve to fourteen months following diagnosis.
There is no surgical option in the treatment of these tumors.
