Diffuse Pontine Glioma is a rare type of cancer that affects only 5 in 100 brain tumors reported and are usually diagnosed in children ages 5 to 10. These tumors are located in the brain stem. They are impossible to remove due to their proximity to this critical area of the brain. The outcome for brain stem gliomas is thus invariably poor. After diagnosis, the average survival time is 9 to 12 months.
Some symptoms are muscle weakness on one side of the body, swallowing problems, speech problems, crossed eyes, drowsiness, hearing loss, and personality changes. The brain stem has cranial nerves that control many of these functions. The tumors affect these nerves and cause symptoms.
Tumors are treated with radiation therapy, which are high-energy X-rays, gamma rays, or electrons that destroy tumor cells. This treatment can reduce symptoms significantly, but there may be some permanent damage caused by the tumor which can’t be helped. Steroids are often given to improve some of the symptoms. Surgery is not part of the standard treatment because it is too damaging to this part of the brain.
To improve the outcome, doctors have tried using higher amounts of radiation or chemotherapy medicines to kill the tumor cells. Research is underway to achieve better results. When the tumor recurs, the focus of treatment is on managing symptoms to make sure the child is as comfortable as possible.
