Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Pronunciation: DIP-jee
Also written as: DIPG — Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
A highly aggressive, diffusely infiltrative brainstem glioma arising in the pons of children, characterised by the H3 K27M mutation and near-universal fatal outcome.
Full Definition
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is the most lethal pediatric brain tumour, occurring predominantly in school-age children between five and ten years. It is now classified within the broader entity of diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered, under the 2021 WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System. The hallmark molecular feature is a lysine-to-methionine substitution at position 27 of histone H3 (H3 K27M), detectable on immunohistochemistry or molecular testing. Because the pons is eloquent, surgical resection is not feasible; diagnosis is increasingly made on liquid biopsy or stereotactic biopsy. Editors should note that 'DIPG' remains in widespread clinical use despite the updated WHO nomenclature.
Usage
Usage note: The acronym DIPG is acceptable in clinical documents; for publications following WHO 2021 taxonomy, expand to 'diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered' on first use.
In Context
- "The MRI findings were consistent with DIPG; liquid biopsy subsequently confirmed H3 K27M mutation." — Pediatric neuro-oncology report
- "Authors using 'DIPG' should note that the preferred WHO 2021 designation is 'diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered'." — Journal manuscript editorial note