Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a type of brain tumor that is highly aggressive and difficult to treat. It occurs in an area of the brainstem called the pons, which controls many of the bodys most vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate. DIPG is a "high grade" malignant brain tumor because of its location in the brain and how rapidly it progresses. The symptoms of DIPG usually develop very rapidly before diagnosis, reflecting the fast growth of these tumors. The most common symptoms include:

• Difficulty with eye movements
• Problems with balance and coordination
• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting

DIPG cannot be cured, and there is no known cause for it. Surgery is not an option for DIPG because of its location in the brainstem. The primary therapy for newly diagnosed DIPG in children older than 3 is radiation therapy, which uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy is being used along with radiation therapy and other biologic agents in multiple trials to decide if we can find ways to improve the survival rates of patients with DIPG. A biopsy is rarely used to diagnose DIPG because of the risks involved in surgery in this area of the brain.