What types of brain tumors are there?

Brain tumors are a complex disease with many types, mainly depending on the type of cells that make up the tumor. Through special laboratory tests, the medical team is able to obtain information about the tumor cells and use this to determine the specific type of brain tumor. Brain tumors can be broadly divided into two categories: noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant), but some brain tumors can be both benign and malignant.

Benign brain tumors usually grow slowly and put relatively little pressure on brain tissue. Malignant brain tumors grow rapidly, are aggressive, and cause damage to brain tissue. Here are some common types of brain tumors:

Gliomas and related brain tumors are one major category. Gliomas originate from glial cells, which surround and support nerve cells in brain tissue. Astrocytomas, glioblastomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas are all types of gliomas and related brain tumors. Among them, glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor.

Choroid plexus tumors originate from cells that make cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) in the fluid-filled cavities within the brain. This type of tumor can be divided into benign and malignant. Choroid plexus carcinoma is the malignant form and is more common in children.

Embryonal tumors originate from cells left over from fetal development, called embryonic cells. Medulloblastoma is the most common type of embryonal tumor, usually located in the lower back of the brain, known as the cerebellum, and is more common in infants and young children.

Germ cell tumors originate from germ cells, which normally go on to become sperm and egg cells. When germ cell tumors occur in the brain, they are usually located near the pineal or pituitary glands, are mostly benign, and are more common in children.

Pineal gland tumors originate in and around the pineal gland of the brain and can be benign or malignant. Pineal blastoma is a malignant pineal gland tumor that commonly occurs in children.

Meningiomas originate in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord and are usually benign, but can sometimes be malignant. It is one of the most common benign brain tumors.

Nerve tumors develop in and around nerves, and acoustic neuroma (schwannoma), one of the most common benign tumors, is located on the main nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain.

Pituitary tumors can originate in or around the pituitary gland, and most tumors that occur in or around the pituitary gland are benign. Craniopharyngioma is a brain tumor that occurs near the pituitary gland.

In addition, there are many other types of rare tumors that can occur in and around the brain, such as tumors that originate in the muscles, blood vessels, and connective tissue surrounding the brain, and tumors that form in the skull. Malignant brain tumors can also start in the brain's immune system cells that fight bacteria. This type of brain cancer is called primary central nervous system lymphoma.

In summary, there are many types of brain tumors, each with its own specific origin, growth pattern, and treatment strategies. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors require a professional medical team to make personalized decisions based on the patient's specific conditions.

(Click to view an introduction to drugs for treating brain tumors)

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/symptoms-causes/syc-20350084