Types of Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is a mass formed by abnormal cells growing in your brain. Most are caused by random cell mutations that take place as we age. Some tumors are caused by inherited genetic conditions like neurofibromatosis, von Hippel-Lindau disease and tuberous sclerosis. In rare cases, brain tumors may also be caused by treatments for another cancer.

Our expert team at the University of Chicago Medicine Brain & Spine Tumor Center specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of brain tumors.

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Types of Brain Tumors

Primary brain tumors are growths that start in the brain. Primary brain cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body, unlike many other cancers. Both low-grade and high-grade tumors can cause problems by pushing on the brain or growing into it.

Physicians use the World Health Organization (WHO) grading system to describe how aggressive a primary brain tumor is. These grades range from I to IV. Grade I tumors grow very slowly, while grade IV tumors grow very quickly and are considered aggressive. Sometimes slower-growing tumors are classified as “low-grade” to set them apart from fast-growing “high-grade” tumors.

Gliomas

Gliomas are created by glial cells, which help make up the connective tissue of the brain. Gliomas can grow anywhere in the central nervous system and can affect your movements, speech, thought, emotion, balance or vision. Some gliomas are caused by genetic disorders. Exposure to radiation may also play a role in rare cases. Types of gliomas include:

• Glioblastomas are the most common aggressive, high-grade brain tumor in adults. They are one of the fastest-growing types of brain cancers. Different types of glioblastomas have been identified.
• Astrocytomas are a group of tumors that include slow-growing, low-grade tumors as well as high-grade tumors. Fast-growing astrocytomas can be as aggressive as glioblastomas. The type of astrocytoma determines how it behaves and should be treated.
• Oligodendrogliomas start from oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for making the insulating fatty foam around nerve cells in brain tissue.
• Ependymomas grow from cells that line the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) in the brain. Where these tumors grow depends on the age of the patient.

Meningiomas

Meningiomas are one of the most common tumors in the brain. They grow from the surface coverings of the brain called the meninges. They typically grow on the brain rather than in it. They can compress brain tissue, causing neurological problems like headaches, seizures and even loss of smell.

Meningiomas can also occur along the base of the skull beneath the brain. These meningiomas can be challenging to surgically remove because of their location.

Lymphomas

Lymphomas are cancers that grow out of abnormal white blood cells. Most lymphomas grow in other parts of the body and often involve the lymph nodes. There are, however, rare forms that start within the brain.

Medulloblastomas

Medulloblastomas are brain cancers that form in the back lower part of the brain, the cerebellum. Medulloblastomas are the most common aggressive, high-grade brain tumor in children.

Different types of medulloblastomas exist, and molecular and pathologic studies can help classify these tumors and determine the best course of treatment.

Pineal Tumors

The pineal gland is a small structure tucked deep within the brain that secretes melatonin, a substance that affects your sleep-wake cycles.

These very rare tumors which occur most often in children and adults younger than 40. They can press against other parts of the brain and block the normal flow of fluid that bathes the brain and spine, causing increased pressure, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Primary pineal tumors range from slow-growing, low-grade tumors (such as pineocytomas) to fast growing, high-grade tumors (such as pineoblastomas).

Skull Base Tumors

The skull base refers to the bottom part of your skull, which is where the brain rests. Tumors located at the skull base involve delicate blood vessels, nerves and other structures. If left untreated, skull base tumors can lead to serious consequences, such as blindness or stroke. Types of skull base tumors include:

• Pituitary tumors: A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, a small gland located behind your nose. The pituitary gland regulates other hormone-producing glands throughout your body. These tumors can disrupt the normal balance of hormones by causing an increase or decrease in hormone production. These tumors can also press against the nearby optic nerves, which triggers vision problems. If a pituitary tumor isn’t causing noticeable symptoms, it may not be discovered until a brain imaging or routine blood test occurs. Learn more about other pituitary disorders.
• Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma): These tumors grow out of nerve coverings in the head, spine or outer tissues. Within the head, they usually grow from the nerve that controls balance (the vestibular nerve). This tumor presses on the inner ear’s hearing and balance nerves. A large tumor may press on a person’s facial nerve or brain structures. Patients may experience hearing loss on one side, ringing in the ears, dizziness, facial numbness, tingling or headaches. Patients with neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare inherited disease, often develop vestibular schwannomas on both sides of their head.
• Chordomas: Chordomas are a rare form of bone cancer that occurs along the length of the spine, including the base of the skull. Skull-base chordomas commonly affect the nerves that control movement of the face, eyes and swallowing. Symptoms include pain or changes in nerve function, headache, face/neck pain, double vision, facial numbness or paralysis, changes in speech or swallowing problems.
• Meningiomas can also occur at the base of the skull.

Metastatic Brain Tumors

A metastatic brain tumor is cancer that has started elsewhere in the body and has spread to the brain. Examples may include lung cancer or breast cancer that has spread to part of the brain. In adults, brain metastases are more common than primary brain tumors, which start in the brain.

Learn more about metastatic brain tumor conditions and treatments.