Types of brain tumours
There are over 130 different types of brain tumours. Tumours can start in any part of the brain or spinal cord. They are usually named after the type of cell they develop from.
The most common type of brain tumours in adults is called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
Tumours that start in the brain are called primary brain tumours. Cancer that has spread to the brain from somewhere else in the body is called secondary brain cancer or brain metastases.
Primary and secondary brain tumours
Primary brain tumours start in the brain. Secondary brain cancer spreads to the brain from somewhere else in the body.
Glioma
Gliomas start in the glial cells and are the most common type of brain tumours. Astrocytomas, oligodendroglioma and glioblastomas are all types of glioma.
Ependymoma
Ependymoma is a rare type of brain tumour that starts from ependymal cells. It can develop in children and adults.
Oligodendroglioma
Oligodendrogliomas develop from glial cells called oligodendrocytes. They are a type of glioma.
Vestibular Schwannoma
Vestibular schwannoma is a benign brain tumour. It is also called acoustic neuroma.
Craniopharyngioma
Craniopharyngioma is a non cancerous (benign) brain tumour that can affect children and adults.
Haemangioblastoma
Haemangioblastomas start in the cells lining the blood vessels in the brain, spinal cord and brain stem. They are non cancerous (benign) tumours.
Lymphoma of the brain or spinal cord
This is also called primary CNS lymphoma. It starts in the lymph tissue of the brain or spinal cord.
Meningioma
Meningiomas are tumours that start in the layers of tissue (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Pituitary tumours
Pituitary tumours are also called pituitary adenomas. There are different types of pituitary gland tumours.
Pineal region tumours
There are different types of tumours that start in the pineal region. The most common type are germ cell tumours.
Embryonal tumours
Embryonal tumours are a type of brain tumour. They used to be called primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs).
Spinal cord tumours
Tumours that start in the spinal cord are called primary spinal cord tumours. There are different types.