Brain stem glioma
Brain stem gliomas are tumors located in the area of the brain called the brain stem, which connects the spinal cord with the brain and is located in the lowest portion of the brain, just above the back of the neck. It can be a low-grade or high-grade tumor, but the most common type is a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, which affects the pons portion of the brain stem and stymies nervous system functions. Also:
* Because of tumor location, it causes a challenge in treatment
* Gliomas are the most common form of brain cancer, accounting for about 50 percent of malignant brain tumors
* Occurs most often in children between age 3 and 10, but can occur in adults
* Rarely spreads or metastasizes
Peak incidence occurs from age 6 to 9 with brain stem tumors accounting for 10 to 15 percent of childhood brain tumors. The annual U.S. incidence rate of gliomas: seven per 100,000.