Desmoplastic Infantile Ganglioglioma, Childhood Tumor: Latest Research

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 09/2023

ON THIS PAGE: You will read about the scientific research being done to learn more about desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma (DIG) and how to treat it. Use the menu to see other pages.

Doctors are working to learn more about DIG, ways to prevent it, how to best treat it, and how to provide the best care to children diagnosed with this disease. The following areas of research may include new options for patients through clinical trials. Always talk with your child’s doctor about the best diagnostic and treatment options for your child.

Because DIG is quite rare, DIG-specific clinical trials may be hard to find. However, patients and doctors are encouraged to review clinical trials focusing on childhood brain tumors, which sometimes include patients with several different types of tumors.

  • Molecular biology of the tumor. Recent studies have identified that at least some DIG tumors appear to be driven by activation of the MAP kinase pathway or have a genetic alteration called an NTRK fusion. For DIG that cannot be effectively treated with surgery, it may be appropriate to perform a test called next generation sequencing (NGS) on the tumor to identify these (or other) genetic alterations that can potentially be targeted with specific drugs, which is called targeted therapy. Learn more about targeted therapy.

  • New treatments and imaging tests. Researchers are looking at new medications, different treatment combinations, and improved imaging techniques to treat childhood brain tumors.

  • Palliative and supportive care. Clinical trials are underway to find better ways of reducing symptoms and side effects of current DIG treatments to improve comfort and quality of life for patients.

Looking for More About the Latest Research?

If you would like more information about the latest areas of research in DIG, explore these related items that take you outside of this guide:

The next section in this guide is Coping with Treatment. It offers some guidance on how to cope with the physical, emotional, social, and financial changes that DIG and its treatment can bring to a family. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.