What is DIPG?
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
DIPG is a brain tumor found in a part of the brainstem called the pons. The pons controls essential bodily functions such as heartbeat, breathing, swallowing, eye movement, eyesight, and balance.
The disease mainly affects children with the average age of diagnosis between 4-10 years old; however, it is sometimes seen in children as young as 2 years old as well as in teens and young adults.
The name Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma describes how the tumor grows, where it is found, and what kinds of cells give rise to the tumor.
Diffuse
Not contained within a solid lump, but rather is spread throughout nearby tissue.
Intrinsic
The tumor is inside the brainstem, rather than outside it.
Pontine
The tumor is found in the pons, a part of the brainstem that controls many basic functions like breathing, sleeping, swallowing and regulating the heart rate.
Glioma
Tumors that arise from glial cells, the cells that protect and support the neurons in the brain.
Facts
Each year, approximately 300 children are diagnosed with DIPG in the U.S. alone. While there are some instances of longer-term survival, the average survival for a child with DIPG or DMG is about 9-12 months.
Brain tumors are now the leading cause of cancer related deaths in children and DIPG accounts for roughly 10-15% of these tumors. While the prognosis remains poor, new research is beginning to show some hope for the future.
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