What is DIPG?

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Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a type of brain stem tumor that grows in the Pons. The Pons is an area of the brain stem primarily responsible for functions like sleep, facial movement, bladder control, breathing, and swallowing.

DIPG primarily affects children between the ages of 5-7, and accounts for roughly 10-15% of all brain tumors in children. Of those diagnosed with DIPG, less than 10% will survive 2 years.

Symptoms of DIPG include drooping on one side of the face, difficulty swallowing, issues with balance, slurred speech, weakness in an arm or leg, headaches, and sometimes nausea.

DIPG is usually diagnosed by examining MRI scans. Because of the location of the tumor, biopsy is not standard.

Once a child has been diagnosed with DIPG, steroids are usually the first course of treatment, followed by radiation therapy. Occupational and or physical therapy may sometimes also be recommended.

Learn more about DIPG at dipg.org.