Desmoplastic Infantile Ganglioglioma, Childhood Tumor: Statistics

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

ON THIS PAGE: You will find information about when desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma (DIG) is diagnosed and learn that this diagnosis is uncommon. You will also read general information on surviving the disease. Use the menu to see other pages.

Every person is different, with different factors influencing their risk of being diagnosed with this tumor and the chance of recovery after a diagnosis. It is important to talk with your doctor about any questions you have around the general statistics provided below and what they may mean for your child individually. The original sources for these statistics are provided at the bottom of this page.

In general, brain and spinal cord tumors are the second most common type of cancer in children ages 0 to 14, after leukemia, in the United States. DIG, however, is rare. DIG is usually found in infants younger than 18 months old.

Children with DIG have an excellent chance of recovery when the tumor is completely removed through surgery (see Types of Treatment).

Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society's publication, Cancer Facts & Figures 2023, and the National Institute of Health's Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. (All sources accessed February 2023.)

The next section in this guide is Risk Factors. It explains that there are currently no known factors linked with an increased chance of developing DIG. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.