| Diffuse pontine gliomas | 1311.00000000000 | Diffuse pontine gliomas | Diffuse pontine gliomas | D | English | Neurology;Oncology | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Brain | Nervous system | Conditions and diseases | Adult (19+) | NA | | 2009-07-10T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 9.10000000000000 | 53.5000000000000 | 373.000000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>Learn about diffuse pontine gliomas. Trusted answers from The Hospital for Sick Children.</p> | <p>Diffuse pontine gliomas are located in the brainstem, at the base of the brain. They are usually diagnosed in children aged five to 10. The diagnosis is made by specific symptoms and MRI features. Because of its location, there is a risk associated with surgery and a biopsy is usually not done. They are difficult to treat because the tumour cells grow in between and around normal cells. It is impossible to remove a tumour in this area because it interferes with the functioning of this critical area of the brain. Radiation is the mainstay of treatment. </p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul><li>Diffuse pontine gliomas are located in the brainstem, at the base of the brain.</li>
<li>These tumours are difficult to treat because of their location and the tumour cells grow between and around normal cells.</li>
<li>The cause of diffuse pontine gliomas is unknown.</li>
<li>Some symptoms are crossed eyes, balance problems, muscle weakness on one side of the body, swallowing problems, speech problems, drowsiness, hearing loss, and personality changes.</li></ul> | <h2>What causes a diffuse pontine glioma?</h2><p>We don’t know what causes a diffuse pontine glioma. There is no way to predict that a child will get brain cancer and nobody is to blame if a child develops a tumour. </p><p>Researchers have been studying whether environmental factors, such as radiation, food, or chemicals, can cause brain cancer. At the moment, there is no definite proof that there is a connection. </p><h2>How many other children have diffuse pontine gliomas?</h2><p>Diffuse pontine gliomas account for about 10% to 15% of brain tumours in children.</p><h2>What are the medical symptoms of a diffuse pontine glioma?</h2><p>Some symptoms are crossed eyes, balance problems (ataxia), muscle weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis), swallowing problems (dysphagia), speech problems (dysarthria), drowsiness, hearing loss, and personality changes. The brainstem has cranial nerves that control many of these functions. The tumours affect these nerves and cause symptoms. </p><p>Most symptoms develop quickly, over a period of one to two weeks. Sometimes symptoms can develop over a longer time period but usually less than three months. </p><p> For more information please see:</p><ul><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=1325&language=English">Diagnosis of Diffuse Pontine Gliomas </a></li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=1360&language=English">Treatment of Diffuse Pontine Gliomas </a></li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Diffuse pontine gliomas | | False | | | | | | |
