DIPG, or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, is a type of brain tumour found in an area of the brainstem known as the pons. The name diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma describes how the tumour grows, where it is found, and what kinds of cells give rise to the tumour. DIPG is also known as diffuse midline glioma, DMG.
Diffuse
Spread throughout an area, not well contained.
Intrinsic
Forming from within growing through the brains network of neuron making it impossible to remove.
Pontine
Referring to the region of the brain known as the ‘pons’
Glioma
A tumour arising from ‘glial’ cells, the connective material of the brain.
DIPG is a type of Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG). The difference is DIPG the tumour is entirely located entirely within the Pons region of the brain whereas DMG sections of the tumour will be located inside and outside the Pons. Both have no treatment, no cure.
