Types

Chad

Types

There are two types of brain tumors: primary brain tumors that originate in the brain and metastatic (secondary) brain tumors that originate from cancer cells that have migrated from other parts of the body.

Primary brain cancer rarely spreads beyond the central nervous system, and death results from uncontrolled tumor growth within the limited space of the skull. Metastatic brain cancer indicates advanced disease and has a poor prognosis.

Primary brain tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Both types take up space in the brain and may cause serious symptoms (e.g., vision or hearing loss) and complications (e.g., stroke).

All cancerous brain tumors are life threatening (malignant) because they have an aggressive and invasive nature. A noncancerous primary brain tumor is life threatening when it compromises vital structures (e.g., an artery).

Acoustic Neuroma- This is a tumor of Schwann cells in the cerebellopontine angle.
Adenoma- Abnormal formation of glandular tumors, usually in more than one gland.
Astrocytoma-A proliferation of astrocytes, a type of nerve cell, resulting in a tumor of the brain or spinal cord.
Craniopharyngioma-A usually benign squamous epithelial tumor in a suprasellar location. Mostly seen in children and adolescents, they interfere with somatic and sexual development, but a second peak occurs in the 40s. They may be solid or cystic and are often calcified.
Ependymoma-A neoplasm of ependyma of cerebral ventricles, or central canal and filum terminale of spinal cord.
Ganglioglioma-A tumor composed of neoplastic astrocytes and ganglion cells. Considered WHO grade I or II.
Glioma-Tumor of the brain composed of glia cells.
Lymphoma-Malignant tumor of lymphoid cells. Typically involves lymphoid organs (e.g., lymph nodes, spleen thymus) but may occur in extranodal lymphoid tissues (e.g., MALT of intestines).
Medulloblastoma-A brain cancer that develops from leftover embryonic nerve cells. The tumor usually starts in the brain (cerebellum).
Meningioma - A tumor of arachnoidal cells.
Oligodendroglioma-rare brain tumor that grows very slowly and is frequently benign, although malignant forms are possible. They can be present for many years before being detected and diagnosed.
Pituitary Tumors - Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths on the pituitary gland. Some tumors secrete hormones normally made by the pituitary gland.
Neuroectodermal-A type of bone cancer that forms in the middle (shaft) of large bones. Also called Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor.