Types of Brain Tumors - Brain Tumor | Johns Hopkins Pathology

Types of Brain Tumors

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Types of Brain Tumors

Not all brain tumors are the same!

Brain and spinal cord tumors are an heterogeneous group of diseases that encompass over 100 different types of tumors. Brain tumors are classified according to their resemblance to normal cell components of the brain.

Gliomas ▼

Gliomas represent the largest group of primary brain tumors and resemble glia, supportive cells encountered in the brain parenchyma. Astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are two glioma subtypes. These tumors may be low grade or high grade based on their potential aggressiveness, and include the highly malignant glioblastoma which has a high proliferative rate under the microscope, as well as other features of aggressiveness including microvascular proliferation and necrosis.

Meningiomas ▼

Meningiomas develop from cells lining the brain coverings (meninges) and tend to develop in the surface of the brain. They are usually removed by surgery, but some meningiomas may behave more aggressively and require additional therapies, usually irradiation.

Metastases ▼

Many tumors that are encountered in the brain do not develop in the brain proper: they are metastases, developing from tumors arising in other sites, most commonly lung, breast, skin, gastrointestinal tract.

Embryonal Tumors ▼

Embryonal tumors are primitive high grade neoplasms that resemble cell components encountered during development of the central nervous system. They have a predilection for children and young patients, and include medulloblastoma, the most common malignant primary brain tumor in children, and require aggressive treatment including chemotherapy and irradiation. Extensive irradiation may be necessary since these tumors have a propensity for dissemination along the cerebrospinal fluid.

Ependymomas ▼

Ependymomas are solid tumors that may develop in the brain or spinal cord, and resemble ependymal cells that line the ventricles. Since these tumors are solid, they may be completely removed with surgery, but this is not always possible depending on their location, and they may require more aggressive therapies.

A subset of tumors remain difficult to classify even after thorough examination and the diagnoses are issued in a descriptive fashion, leading to broad categories and excluding more common tumor entities.

Brain tumors are grouped by grade, which is determined under a microscope.

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Under the Microscope: Most Common Types of Brain Tumors

Astrocytoma

An astrocytoma is a type of brain tumor with cells that resemble astrocytes. These are the "star-shaped" cells in the brain that hold nerve cells in place.
Oligodendroglioma

Glioma subtype characterized by particular morphologic features (uniform round cells) and molecular genetic alterations (1p/19q codeletion, IDH mutation) and associated with relatively better outcome among the diffuse gliomas affecting adults.
Medulloblastoma

The most common malignant primary brain tumor in children
Ependymoma

Subgroup of tumors that have a predilection for the brain in children and the spinal cord in adults. They form well circumscribed masses and the primary treatment involves surgery; chemotherapy and irradiation may be required for higher grade tumors.

Under the Microscope: Most Common Types of Brain Tumors

Astrocytoma

An astrocytoma is a type of brain tumor with cells that resemble astrocytes. These are the "star-shaped" cells in the brain that hold nerve cells in place.

Oligodendroglioma

Glioma subtype characterized by particular morphologic features (uniform round cells) and molecular genetic alterations (1p/19q codeletion, IDH mutation) and associated with relatively better outcome among the diffuse gliomas affecting adults.

Medulloblastoma

The most common malignant primary brain tumor in children

Ependymoma

Subgroup of tumors that have a predilection for the brain in children and the spinal cord in adults. They form well circumscribed masses and the primary treatment involves surgery; chemotherapy and irradiation may be required for higher grade tumors.

The partial or complete suppression of the immune response of an individual; immunosuppression is induced to help the survival of an organ after a transplant operation.

Laboratory technique that allows for the testing of alterations of multiple genes simultaneously. Increasingly applied to tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Physicians specializing in the medical treatment of brain tumors.

Areas of dead cells or tissues. Necrosis is a marker of higher grade in diffuse gliomas.

Alterations in the DNA of specific genes. May characterize specific brain tumor types. Mutations may be somatic (present in the tumor tissue only) or germline (present in multiple or all cells of the patient as well as the tumor).

Increased number and abnormal configuration of small vessels in brain tumors. A marker of higher grade in diffuse gliomas.

Molecular genetic characteristic of specific subgroups of brain tumors—particularly glioblastoma—and associated with a higher sensitivity for specific chemotherapies (such as temozolomide).

Tumors that start outside of the brain in other organs (e.g. lung, breast) but that reach the brain through the circulation.

Common brain tumor that develops in association with meninges and may compress the brain or spinal cord from the outside.

Tissues that cover and surround the brain and contain the cerebrospinal fluid.

Most common primary malignant brain tumor in children. Highly aggressive but many patients are curable with current treatments.

Applied to tumors with a high proliferative rate and malignant features.

Applied to tumors usually with a slower growth potential.

Special staining technique that recognizes the levels of specific molecules, such as proteins, characteristic of particular tumor types.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1. Metabolic enzyme. Mutations in this gene are a feature of a diffuse glioma subset associated with a better prognosis.

Scale used to assess the potential aggressiveness of brain tumors. Brain tumors may be broadly classified as low grade or high grade.

Broad category of brain tumors that includes astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas.

Most common primary malignant brain neoplasm characterized by its aggressive behavior and infiltrative behavior in the brain.

Generic term for supporting cells in the Central Nervous System other than neurons. It includes astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia.

Molecular technique that applies “probes” for specific gene regions and is useful in identifying gains (amplifications) and gene losses (e.g. 1p/19q) in tumors.

A disorder of the brain characterized by recurrent convulsions (seizures).

Subgroup of tumors that have are most common in the brain in children and the spinal cord in adults. They form well circumscribed masses and the primary treatment involves surgical resection, although chemotherapy and irradiation may be required for higher grade tumors.

Group of malignant tumors that are most common in children and young patients. They share features in common with the developing Central Nervous System.

Fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and fills the ventricles. Some malignant brain tumor types have a propensity to spread through this fluid, and cells of these tumors may be identified through microscopic analysis.

Glioma subtype characterized by particular morphologic features (uniform round cells) and molecular genetic alterations (1p/19q codeletion, IDH mutation) and associated with relatively better outcome among the diffuse gliomas affecting adults.

Common laboratory technique used to test alterations in specific genes.

Cavities located inside the brain containing the cerebrospinal fluid.

Standard guide for the classification and grading of human cancer, including brain tumors. Guidelines are established by brain tumor experts from around the world every few years.

A complex organ system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

A subtype of glioma that has features in common with astrocytes; an astrocyte is a subtype of glial cell that has a variety of functions in the brain, including reacting and filling space after an area of injury and regulating the blood brain barrier.

Genetic alteration encountered in oligodendroglial tumors. The presence of this alteration in the right context is associated with a better prognosis in diffuse gliomas of adults, and usually results in a different treatment.