What is a primary brain tumor?

Tumors that start in brain tissue is known as primary brain tumors. (Information about secondary brain tumors appears in the following section.) Primary brain tumors are named for the type of cell or a part of the brains where they began.

Primary brain tumors are the most common are gliomas. They begin in glial cells. There are many types of gliomas:

    Astrocytoma - a tumor derived from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes. In adults, astrocytomas usually occur in the brains. In children, they occur in the brainstem, the cerebellum and brains. A grade III astrocytoma is also called anaplastic astrocytoma. A grade IV astrocytoma is usually called glioblastoma multiforme.

    Brain stem glioma - These tumors occur in the lowest part of the brains. Brain stem glioma is usually diagnosed in children and middle-aged adults.

    Ependymoma - tumor is derived from the cells lining the ventricles and central canal of the spinal cord. They are most commonly found in children and young adults.

    Oligodendroglioma - This rare tumor arises from cells of the fatty substance that covers and protects the nerve to do. These tumors usually occur in the brains. They grow slowly and usually do not spread into surrounding brain tissue. They are the most common in middle-aged adults.

Some types of brain tumors do not begin in glial cells. The most common are:

    Medulloblastoma - These tumors occur mostly in the cerebellum. This is the most common brain tumors in children. It is also called primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

    Meningioma - These tumors occur in the meninges. Usually grow slowly.

    Schwannoma - A tumor arising from Schwann cells. This line of nerve cells that control balance and hearing. this nerve in the inner ear. These tumors are called acoustic neuroma. This is most common in adults.

    Craniopharyngioma - a tumor growing at the base of the brains in the vicinity of the pituitary. The most common types of tumors in children.

    Germinal cells of brain tumors - these tumors originate from germ cells. Most germ cell tumors arising in the brains of people younger than 30 years. The most common form of germ cell tumors of the brains is a germinoma.

    Pineal region tumors - brain tumor is rarely appear on or near the pineal gland. The pineal gland is located between the brains and the cerebellum.