Treatment

It is very important to understand and believe that whatever choice the family feels is best for them IS the right choice for that family. No two families experience DIPG or DMG in the same way, so there is no expectation that families should make the same choices regarding navigation of the disease.

As much hope as there is with promising clinical trials, the only proven standard of care for DIPG and DMG is radiation. There ARE long-term survivors of DIPG, though they represent less than 2% of diagnosed patients. A family is justified in choosing to decline treatment and simply focus on quality of life or in choosing to try every clinical trial available to them.

Radiation

The only approved standard of care for DIPG and DMG is radiation therapy. Radiation should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis in order to stall the progression of the tumor.

Learn More

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are the primary way researchers determine if a new treatment is safe and effective in people. There are currently multiple clinical trials available for DIPG and DMG patients that are showing promise.

Learn More

Chemotherapy

Although chemotherapy has proven beneficial in fighting many cancers, specific challenges with DIPG and DMG have inhibited this treatment from achieving similar success. Recent developments show promise in allowing chemotherapy to aid DIPG and DMG treatment.

Learn More

Delivery Options

The blood-brain barrier poses a major obstacle to treatment by preventing toxins and other molecules in the bloodstream from entering brain cells. New delivery methods are being developed to disrupt it and allow more chemotherapy agents to pass. Studies are underway to investigate approaches that deliver medication directly into the tumor.

Learn More

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. Clinical trials using immunotherapy to treat DIPG and DMG patients are underway and showing promise.

Learn More

Compassionate Use/Expanded Access

In searching for a clinical trial, there may be instances in which a patient will not be allowed to enroll due to an inclusion/exclusion requirement. If this happens, there may be other options to explore that might enable access to the treatment.

Learn More

Complementary & Alternative Medicines

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) refer to treatments or products not considered standard care. They may help cancer patients reduce treatment side effects but should always be discussed with the medical team.

Learn More

Our Nurse Navigators are here to help families understand and consider all of their options, connect families to appropriate resources, and support whatever decisions the families choose to make.