Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an aggressive type of childhood cancerous tumor that arises from the pons or brain stem (the part of the hindbrain). The brain stem controls important functions such as breathing, heart rate, and muscle tone. The exact cause of DIPG is unknown. It is a rare fast-growing cancer. Gliomas arise from glial cells, the cells found throughout the nervous system. They surround and support the nerve cells. DIPG is considered fatal cancer. The 2-year survival rate typically is 10%, and the 5-year survival rate is around 2%.
However, a small number of patients with DIPG tumors may have better outcomes than others. These are the tumors bearing mutations in a gene that is involved in the basic packaging of DNA. These mutations are known as histone mutations.
Grading of DIPG: DIPG is graded based on the nature of the tumor. The chances of survival depend on the grade.
- Grades I and II tumor cells are the closest to normal cells, and they are less aggressive.
- Grades III and IV are the most aggressive tumors. A grade III tumor is anaplastic, and a grade IV glioma is also called glioblastoma.
What are the signs and symptoms of DIPG cancer?
Common signs and symptoms of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) differ as per the area of the brain stem from where the cancer arises. The following are the commonest symptoms of DIPG:
- Difficulty maintaining balance, standing, and walking
- Double vision
- Drooping eyelids
- Uncontrolled eye movements
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty chewing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache or headache that improves after the child vomits
- Facial weakness
- Deviation of angle of the mouth to one side
- Dribbling of saliva
- Unusual sleepiness
How is DIPG cancer treated?
Because diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and tumors that bear this type of mutation are so rare and it is difficult to perform their biopsy, clinical guidelines are based on relatively small patient studies. Treatment options include:
- Radiation therapy: This is the main treatment for children aged older than 3 years with newly diagnosed DIPG. The treatment involves using high-energy X-rays that kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy is usually not curative.
- Chemotherapy: This involves using powerful medication that may be taken orally or injected to destroy cancer cells. It may be used along with radiation therapy, but this may also not be curative.
- Surgery: Surgery is rarely performed to remove DIPG. The location of the tumor carries a high risk of fatal complications.
SLIDESHOW
Skin Cancer Symptoms, Types, Images See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/dipg
Top What Is the Survival Rate of DIPG Cancer? Related Articles
Bone Cancer
Bone cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs in cells that make up the bones. Primary bone cancer that arises in bone cells is different than metastatic bone cancer, which is cancer that arises in another part of the body and then spreads to the bones. Hereditary and environmental factors likely contribute to the risk of bone cancer. Signs and symptoms of bone cancer may include pain, the presence of a mass or lump, and bone fractures. There are different types of bone cancer (osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, pleomorphic sarcoma, fibrosarcoma). Treatment for bone cancer may include surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation, and/or a stem cell transplant. The prognosis for bone cancer depends on the type of cancer and the extent of spread.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is an invasive tumor that develops in the mammary gland. Breast cancer is detected via mammograms, breast self-examination (BSE), biopsy, and specialized testing on breast cancer tissue. Treatment of breast cancer may involve surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Breast cancer risk may be lowered by managing controllable risk factors.
What you should know about breast cancer
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women.
- One in every eight women in the United States develops breast cancer.
- There are many types of breast cancer that differ in their capability of spreading (metastasize) to other body tissues.
- The causes of breast cancer are unknown, although medical professionals have identified a number of risk factors.
- There are 11 common types of breast cancer and 4 uncommon types of breast cancer.
- Breast cancer early signs and symptoms include
- a lump in the breast or armpit,
- bloody nipple discharge,
- inverted nipple,
- orange-peel texture or dimpling of the breast's skin (peau d'orange),
- breast pain or sore nipple,
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit, and
- a change in the size or shape of the breast or nipple.
- Breast cancer can also be symptom free, which makes following national screening recommendations an important practice.
- Breast cancer is diagnosed during a physical exam, by a self-exam of the breasts, mammography, ultrasound testing, and biopsy.
- Treatment of breast cancer depends on the type of cancer and its stage (0-IV) and may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Breast Cancer Slides
Learn about breast cancer causes, symptoms, tests, recovery, and prevention. Discover the types of treatments such as surgery and drug therapies as well as the survival rate for breast cancer.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Top Cancer-Fighting Foods
Experts have praised certain foods for their ability to reduce cancer risks. Learn which foods and eating strategies may help reduce your risk of developing cancer.
Colon Cancer (Colorectal Cancer)
Colon Cancer (Colorectal Cancer) is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers, develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the esophagus. Risk factors of cancer of the esophagus include smoking, heavy alcohol use, Barrett's esophagus, being male and being over age 60. Severe weight loss, vomiting, hoarseness, coughing up blood, painful swallowing, and pain in the throat or back are symptoms. Treatment depends upon the size, location and staging of the cancer and the health of the patient.