What is diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma?

Also known as: DIPG.

Glial tissue are cells of the brain that protects and supports the neurons. Tumors that start in the glial tissue at the base of the brain in the brainstem area (which controls breathing, heart rate and blood pressure plus other functions) called the Pons, just above the back of the neck, are called diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas.

These rare tumors are generally aggressive (when biopsied are usually Grade 111 or 1V), rapidly infiltrating normal brain tissue. They are difficult to treat.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM