User talk:Tripper11

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma; also known as a DIPG or brain stem glioma (BSG)

A tumor that has spread widely throughout the brain stem.

The brain stem is the part of the brain connected to the spinal cord. It is located in the lowest part of the brain, just above the back of the neck. The brain stem is the part of the brain that controls breathing, heart rate, and nerves and muscles used in seeing, hearing, walking, talking, and eating.

Brain stem gliomas usually target children in their first decade of life.

Given the dismal prognosis for patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), progression of the pontine lesion is anticipated generally within 1 year from initial radiation therapy. In most cases, biopsy at the time of clinical or radiologic progression is neither necessary nor recommended. To date, no salvage regimen has been shown to extend survival. Patients should be considered for entry into trials of novel therapeutic approaches because there are no standard agents that have demonstrated a clinically significant activity. Concomitant palliative care should be provided for these patients whether or not disease-directed therapy is administered.

For more information see www.icouldbeyourchild.org

Tripper11 (talk) 17:25, 14 October 2008 (UTC)