What Different Types of Brain Tumors Are There?

A mass of irregular cells that form in your brain is called a brain tumor. Some brain tumors can be noncancerous or benign. Others are malignant, or cancerous. A variety of brain tumors can affect different parts of the body.

Brain Stem Glioma

• Brain stem glioma is a tumor that can be either benign or malignant. This tumor forms at the base of the brain on or near the brain stem. Brain stem glioma affects children more than adults.

CNS Lymphoma

• Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma is a disease in which the lymph tissues of the brain and/or spinal cord form malignant cell growth. This cancer can be detected using a CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a neurological exam.

Meningiomas

• Benign tumors that grow on the meninges, the thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord, are called meningiomas. These tumors do not usually attack normal cell tissue and tend to grow slowly. (Resource 1)

Metastatic Brain Tumors

• Metastatic brain tumors are tumors that start as cancer in another part of the body and move to the brain. Cancer cells can be carried to the brain by blood. Nearby cancer cells can also spread the cancer to the brain.

Schwannoma

• Schwannoma tumors are benign tumors that affect the nerves of the body. This tumor tends to form along nerves in the head and neck. This tumor is not very aggressive. Schwannoma tends to affect young adults more than other age groups.