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Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas in Children: Treatment (An Update)

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Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 11

Part of the book series: Tumors of the Central Nervous System ((TCNS,volume 11))

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Abstract

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a devastating childhood malignancy. The tumors are diagnosed radiographically and symptomatically. Biopsy is not recommended. The pathology is almost always a WHO grade II, III, or IV astrocytoma. Patients present with less than 6 months of cranial nerve defects, ataxia, and/or long tract signs. Radiographically, tumors are hypointense on T1, hyperintense on T2 and have an infiltrating mass that occupies at least 2/3 of the pons. The standard of care for treatment of a DIPG is radiation therapy. Neither surgery nor chemotherapy has been found to improve survival for these children. The average survival from diagnosis is 8–12 months.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, University of Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, MSC 558, 29425, Charleston, SC, USA

    Amy Lee Bredlau

  2. Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Division of Palliative Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, 777, 14642, Rochester, NY, USA

    David N. Korones

Authors
  1. Amy Lee Bredlau
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  2. David N. Korones
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Correspondence to Amy Lee Bredlau .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kean University, Room 213, Library building, Union, New Jersey, USA

    M.A. Hayat

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Bredlau, A.L., Korones, D.N. (2014). Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas in Children: Treatment (An Update). In: Hayat, M. (eds) Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 11. Tumors of the Central Nervous System, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7037-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7037-9_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-7036-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-7037-9

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