Brain tumours can be malignant, slow growing or benign. Knowing the type helps decide on the best treatment for you.
The most common brain tumour is a glioma. There are different types of gliomas. This includes astrocytomas and glioblastomas as well as oligodendrogliomas, mixed gliomas and ependymomas. Some grow slowly while others grow more quickly.
Meningioma is a common brain tumour. It starts in the meninges, the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord, and is usually benign.
A lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It’s rare for it to start in the brain. When it does it’s called a primary CNS lymphoma.
An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumour of the hearing nerve. Another benign brain tumour that starts in cells lining blood vessels is a haemangioblastomas.
Tumours that start in the pituitary gland, which helps control hormones, are also benign. Different tumours can start in the spinal cord and are usually benign.
Tumours of the pineal gland, such as germinomas and teratomas, are rare. They can be slow or fast growing.
Medulloblastoma tumours are rare in adults but more common in children.