What is DIPG?

 Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a rare and aggressive type of pediatric brain tumor. It develops in the pons, a vital part of the brainstem that controls essential functions such as breathing, heart rate, balance, swallowing, and eye movement.

DIPG is called “diffuse” because the tumor spreads throughout healthy brain tissue, making it impossible to remove with surgery. It is “intrinsic” because it grows within the brainstem itself.

 DIPG primarily affects children between the ages of 5 and 9, though it can occur in younger children and adolescents. In the United States, approximately 300–400 children are diagnosed each year. However, these numbers are quickly rising.

Because DIPG affects the brainstem, symptoms often appear suddenly and worsen quickly. Common signs may include:

• Difficulty with balance or walking
•  Facial weakness or drooping 
•  Changes in speech or swallowing 
•  Vision problems 
•  Headaches or nausea

Symptoms can vary from child to child, but progression is often rapid.

DIPG’s location in the brainstem makes surgical removal impossible. Standard treatments such as chemotherapy have shown limited effectiveness. Radiation therapy is currently the primary treatment option and may temporarily reduce symptoms or slow tumor growth, but it is not a cure.

Because of these challenges, DIPG remains one of the most devastating childhood cancer diagnoses.

 While there is currently no cure for DIPG, scientists and clinicians around the world are working to better understand the biology of these tumors and to develop new, more effective treatments through clinical trials.

Hope lives in research, awareness, and community — and in honoring the children whose courage continues to drive progress forward.