Types of brain tumour
There are different types of brain tumour. These are some of the more common types.
About types of brain tumour
Brain tumours are often named after the cell they develop from, or the part of the brain they start in.
Brain tumours can be low-grade or high grade. We have more information about different grades of brain tumour.
We have separate information about tumours that start somewhere else in the body and spread to the brain (secondary brain tumours).
Glioma
More than half of all primary brain tumours are gliomas. These tumours are made up of cells that look similar to glial cells. Glial cells are the supporting cells in the brain and spinal cord. Different types of gliomas include:
Astrocytoma
An astrocytomas is the most common type of glioma. It is made up of cells that look similar to glial cells called astrocytes. Astrocytomas can be grade 1 to 4. Different grades of astrocytoma have different names. For example, glioblastoma is a type of grade 4 astrocytoma.
Oligodendroglioma
An oligodendroglioma is made up of cells that look similar to glial cells called oligodendrocytes. These cells make up the fatty covering of nerve cells. There are 2 grades of these tumours – grade 2 and grade 3.
Ependymoma
An ependymoma is made up of cells that look similar to glial cells called ependymal cells. These cells line the fluid-filled spaces in the brain (ventricles) and the centre of the spinal cord. Ependymomas can be grade 1 to 3.
Meningioma
Meningiomas start in the tissues that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). Meningioma can be grade 1 to 3. They are almost always benign, low-grade, slow-growing tumours. But a small number are faster-growing.
Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma)
A vestibular schwannomas (also called acoustic neuroma) is a tumour that usually grows slowly. It grows on the hearing and balance nerve (acoustic or vestibular) between the inner ear and the brain.
Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL)
A lymphoma is a cancer of the the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system and helps fight infection. A lymphoma that starts in the brain or spinal cord is called primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). It is rare and usually grows quickly.
You may have slightly different tests and treatment for PCNSL.
Haemangioblastoma
A haemangioblastoma is a rare, slow-growing tumour that usually affects the cerebellum and sometimes the brain stem or spinal cord. It develops from the cells lining the blood vessels in the brain.
Medulloblastoma
A medulloblastoma is a high-grade tumour that develops in the cerebellum. This tumour is rare in adults but is one of the most common brain tumours in children.
Pineal region tumour
These rare tumours affect the pineal gland in the centre of the brain. There are different types of pineal region tumours. The most common one is called a germ cell tumour.
Pituitary tumour
The most common tumours of the pituitary gland are adenomas. They are slow-growing tumours that can affect how the pituitary gland produces hormones.
Craniopharyngioma
Craniopharyngioma tumours affect an area above the pituitary gland and near the cranial nerve from the eyes to the brain. It is rare and usually slow-growing. It can affect how the pituitary gland produces hormones and cause problems with eyesight.
Spinal cord tumour
Several types of tumours can start in the spinal cord, but this is rare. Spinal cord tumours usually cause problems by invading, damaging or pressing on the nerves of the spinal cord.
You may have slightly different tests and treatment for a tumour in the spinal cord.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our primary brain tumour information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
EANO-ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for prophylaxis, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up: Neurological and vascular complications of primary and secondary brain tumours. 2021. Available from www.eano.eu/publications/eano-guidelines/eano-esmo-clinical-practice-guidelines-for-prophylaxis-diagnosis-treatment-and-follow-up-neurological-and-vascular-complications-of-primary-and-secondary-brain-tumours [accessed August 2024].
NICE Guideline NG99. Brain tumours (primary) and brain metastases in over 16s. 2018 (updated 2021). Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng99 [accessed August 2024].
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