DIPG is a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.
DMG is a diffuse midline glioma.
Glioma is a type of tumor that occurs in the brain and spinal cord.
Gliomas are classified by cell type, grade and location.
DIPG/DMG are particularly aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain tumors, typically found in children, and almost always fatal.
DMG is a newer pathology term used for gliomas that invade normal tissue in the “midline” of the brain. The midline includes multiple structures (the thalamus, the brainstem, and the spinal cord). Most biopsied DIPG tumors are diagnosed as DMG. Additionally, you can have a DMG outside of the brainstem that is not a DIPG.
There are three parts of the brainstem – pons, midbrain, and medulla – which control critical functions such as breathing and heartbeat. Pontine tumors are found in the pons.
