Some Tumors That Originate in or Near the Brain*
Type of Tumor | Origin | Cancer Status | Percentage of All Primary Brain Tumors† | People Affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Astrocytoma (a type of glioma)‡ | Cells of the tissue that supports nerve cells (glial cells) | Cancerous but how aggressive it is varies | (See note.†) | Children and adults |
Chordoma | Cells of the embryo (embryonic cells) that help form spinal cord and brain stem (which connects the largest part of the brain to the spinal cord) | Cancerous and invasive but spreads slowly | Less than 1% | Children and adults May be present at birth |
Craniopharyngioma | Embryonic cells from the pituitary gland | Noncancerous but slowly invasive | Less than 1% | Children and adults May be present at birth |
Dermoid cysts and epidermoid tumors | Embryonic cells of the skin | Noncancerous | Less than 1% | Children and adults Dermoid cysts: May be present at birth |
Ependymoma‡ | Cells of the tissue that lines the spaces within the brain (ventricles) | Noncancerous or cancerous | About 2–3% (almost 10% of brain tumors in children)‡ | Children Uncommon in adults |
Germ cell tumors (including germinomas) | Embryonic cells near the pineal gland | Noncancerous or cancerous | 1% | Children Germinomas: May be present at birth |
Glioblastoma (a type of glioma)‡ | Immature glial cells (called progenitor cells) | Cancerous | About 15%, increasing with age† | Adults |
Hemangioblastoma | Embryonic cells that develop into blood vessels | Noncancerous | 1‒2% | Children and adults |
Lymphoma that originates in the brain (primary brain lymphoma) | B cells (a type of lymphocyte) | Cancerous | 4% | People with a weakened immune system and older people |
Medulloblastoma‡ | Embryonic cells of the cerebellum | Cancerous | Almost 20% of childhood brain tumors† | Children and, rarely, adults |
Meningioma | Cells of the layers of tissue covering the brain (meninges) | Usually noncancerous but may recur Recurrences sometimes cancerous | About 35% | Adults |
Oligodendroglioma (a type of glioma)‡ | Cells (called oligodendrocytes) that wrap around nerve fibers in the brain, forming the myelin sheath, and the cells from which they originate | Cancerous but slow-growing (ultimately often becoming anaplastic oligodendroglioma) | 2–10%† | Children and adults |
Pineal gland tumors | Cells of the pineal gland or nearby tissues | Mostly noncancerous but sometimes cancerous | Less than 1% | Children |
Pituitary adenoma | Cells of the pituitary gland | Noncancerous | 10% | Children and adults |
Primitive neuroectodermal tumor | Immature cells lining the spaces within the brain (ventricles) | Usually noncancerous but sometimes becomes cancerous | Less than 1% | Children and young adults |
Neurocytoma | Immature cells lining the spaces within the brain | Noncancerous | Less than 1% | Children and young adults |
Schwann cells of the 8th (vestibulocochlear) cranial nerve | Noncancerous | 8% | Adults | |
* See also Some Specific Brain Tumors. | ||||
† The percentage of all primary brain tumors is given unless noted otherwise. | ||||
‡ Astrocytomas, ependymomas, glioblastoma multiforme, medulloblastomas, and oligodendrogliomas are gliomas. Astrocytomas are the most common glioma. | ||||