(WKYT) – State health officials are investigating why ten Southeastern Kentucky children have been diagnosed with the same rare and deadly pediatric brain cancer since 2024.
The cancer is called DIPG, or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. It is a rare and aggressive brain stem tumor that mostly strikes children and is almost always fatal.
The state says the number of cases is unusual and concerning. Kentucky typically sees two to three cases statewide each year.
Most of the ten children live in Congressman Hal Rogers’ 5th District.
Federal researchers respond
In May, Rogers shared WKYT Investigates’ reporting on the DIPG cases and called for answers.
“Well, I watched your show, and that stirred my imagination,” Rogers said when asked what made him step in.
Rogers publicly urged the National Institutes of Health and researchers at the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center to study the cases. He said that study is ongoing.
The state has also been working with the CDC to determine whether environmental factors might be associated with the increase in cases.
“There’s a lot of people that’s caring about this issue and these young people, and they deserve everything that we can get for them. That’s why I’ve asked CDC and the other agencies to speed it up to get us some answers,” Rogers said.
RELATED:
- WKYT Investigates: Laurel County girl defies odds as she fights DIPG
- WKYT Investigates: Family fights to find cure after losing daughter to DIPG
- WKYT Investigates: CDC looking into ‘unusual’ number of DIPG cases in Eastern Kentucky
- WKYT Investigates: Williamsburg mom shares son’s DIPG battle as Southeastern Kentucky cases reach 10
- WKYT Investigates: Kentucky looking into rare pediatric brain cancer cases in Corbin area
- WKYT Investigates: Health officials confirm ‘unusual’ rise in rare pediatric brain tumor cases in Eastern Kentucky
- Rep. Hal Rogers calls on researchers to study rare pediatric cancer cases in Corbin following WKYT Investigates story
- WKYT Investigates: Williamsburg City Council addresses concerns about rare pediatric brain cancer cases
Opponent calls for answers, cites research cuts
Ned Pillersdorf, the Democrat looking to unseat Rogers in November, told WKYT he also wants to see answers.
He sent WKYT the following statement:
“While the outbreak is more than alarming, the reality is that the Republican administration has slashed medical research at unprecedented levels, including massive cuts to the National Institutes of Health.
I certainly agree that we should request assistance, but the reality with the massive budget cuts the National Institutes of Health is so depleted rightfully concerned that they may not be able to assist.
If elected to Congress, I will speak out against the shameful slashing of medical research, something Hal Rogers refuses to do.”
When asked about federal cuts to cancer research, Rogers pointed to language he secured within the LLHS Appropriations Act of 2027 to prioritize childhood cancer research with federal support.
“Those parents of those young people, they’re in good hands. Your stories are having an effect; it is on me. We have a whole government that’s plugged in now, and we will see that the money gets to the right places,” Rogers said.