Brain Tumor

Craniopharyngiomas are tumors that begin between the bottom of the brain and the pituitary gland. These tumors often press on the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, and can cause issues with hormone secretion. Because they often occur close to the optic nerves, they can also cause problems with vision.

Glioblastomas (also called GBM) are grade 4 malignant (cancerous) tumors predominantly made up of abnormal astrocytic cells, but also contains a mix of different cell types (including blood vessels) and areas of dead cells (necrosis). Glioblastomas can invade nearby regions of the brain and may also sometimes spread to the opposite side of the brain. It is exceedingly rare for glioblastomas to spread outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Gliomas are tumors that start in specialized cells in the brain called glial cells. There are several subtypes of gliomas, including ependymomas, astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. According to the American Cancer Society, about 30% of brain tumors are gliomas.

Meningiomas are tumors that start in meninges, which are the tissues that cover the outer part of the brain and spinal cord. According to the ACS, meningiomas are the most common non-metastatic brain tumors in adults.

Gangliogliomas are rare, slow-growing tumors that include a mix of both abnormal glial cells and neurons.

Medulloblastomas are tumors that develop in the cerebellum from immature nerve cells called neuroectodermal cells. Medulloblastomas are more common in children and adults.

Schwannomas (AKA neurilemmomas) are tumors that develop from specialized cells that protect and insulate nerves called Schwann cells. These tumors can begin in any nerve in the skull. When they occur on the nerve that controls balance and hearing, they are called “vestibular schwannomas.” Other forms of schwannomas can intrude on the upper spinal cord, causing issues with bowel/bladder control, muscle weakness and other effects.

These rare tumors arise from remnants of the notochord and are typically located at the base of the skull or along the spine. They tend to grow slowly but can be aggressive and invasive, often requiring complex surgical approaches.

These malignant tumors arise from cartilaginous tissue and are less common. They often require aggressive treatment due to their potential to invade surrounding structures.

A colloid cyst is a slow-growing, benign cyst that forms near the center of the brain, often at the third ventricle. It can block the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to headaches, dizziness, or in rare cases, sudden neurological symptoms. Minimally invasive surgery is often used to remove the cyst and restore fluid balance.

An epidermoid cyst of the brain is a rare, benign tumor that develops from skin-like cells trapped during brain formation. These cysts can grow slowly and press on nerves or brain tissue, causing symptoms like facial pain, hearing loss, or imbalance. Surgical removal is typically recommended for relief and to prevent recurrence.

Gliomas are a group of primary brain tumors that develop from glial cells — the supportive cells that surround and protect neurons in the brain. These tumors can vary in aggressiveness, growth rate, and treatment approach, depending on their type and grade. Treatment often includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, guided by advanced imaging and molecular diagnostics to tailor care for each patient.

• Glioblastoma: The most aggressive form of glioma, glioblastoma tends to grow and spread rapidly. Treatment focuses on maximal surgical removal followed by radiation and chemotherapy to slow progression and improve quality of life.

• Ependymoma: Arising from the cells lining the fluid-filled spaces of the brain and spinal cord, ependymomas can block cerebrospinal fluid flow and increase pressure in the brain. Treatment typically involves surgery and radiation therapy.

• Astrocytoma: These tumors form from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes and range from slow-growing (low-grade) to aggressive (high-grade) types. Treatment depends on tumor location and grade, balancing tumor control with preservation of neurological function.

• Oligodendroglioma: Originating from cells that produce myelin, these tumors are generally slower-growing and often more responsive to treatment. Genetic testing helps guide therapy, as certain mutations can predict better treatment outcomes.

Hemangioblastomas are rare, benign vascular tumors that occur in the brain or spinal cord. They may cause headaches, problems with balance, or other neurological symptoms depending on their location. Surgical removal is often curative, and ongoing monitoring is important, especially for patients with genetic conditions such as von Hippel-Lindau disease.

These are the most common primary tumors of the skull base. They are usually benign and originate from the meninges. Symptoms can vary depending on their location and size but may include headaches, seizures, or neurological deficits.

Metastatic brain tumors occur when cancer from another part of the body spreads to the brain. Symptoms depend on tumor size and location and can include headaches, seizures, or neurological changes. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, targeted therapy, or a combination to control growth and relieve symptoms.

Olfactory neuroblastoma, also known as esthesioneuroblastoma, is a rare cancer that develops in the upper nasal cavity near the smell nerves. Symptoms can include nasal congestion, nosebleeds, or loss of smell. Treatment often combines surgery, radiation therapy, and sometimes chemotherapy.

These are rare tumors that originate from paraganglia, collections of nerve cells. They are usually benign but can occasionally be malignant.

Sinonasal carcinoma refers to a group of cancers that develop in the nasal cavity or sinuses. These tumors may cause nasal congestion, facial pain, or swelling. Early diagnosis is critical, as treatment typically involves surgery followed by radiation or chemotherapy to preserve function and control disease.

Subependymomas are rare, typically slow-growing tumors that develop from the ependymal cells lining the ventricles of the brain or the central canal of the spinal cord; they are usually noncancerous. When symptoms occur, they may include headaches, balance issues, or changes in vision due to blockage of cerebrospinal fluid flow. Treatment often depends on the size and location of the tumor — some may only require observation, while others are surgically removed to relieve pressure and prevent complications.

These benign tumors develop on the vestibular nerve, which connects the inner ear with the brain. They can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance issues as they grow.

These are generally benign tumors that occur in the pituitary gland. They can affect hormone levels, leading to various systemic symptoms like vision problems, headaches, or hormonal imbalances

Acromegaly is a rare disorder caused by the overproduction of growth hormone (GH). This excess GH leads to abnormal growth of bones, cartilage, and soft tissues in adults.

Cushing's disease is a specific type of Cushing's syndrome, a condition caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of the hormone cortisol. In Cushing's disease, the culprit is a non-cancerous tumor in the pituitary gland that produces too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This excess ACTH then signals the adrenal glands to produce excessive cortisol.

These benign tumors develop near the pituitary gland and can affect its function, leading to hormonal imbalances and vision problems.

A Rathke cleft cyst is a benign, fluid-filled cyst that develops near the pituitary gland. Though noncancerous, it can cause headaches, vision changes, or hormonal imbalances when it grows large enough to press on nearby structures. Treatment may involve monitoring or surgical drainage to relieve symptoms.

Brain tumors are abnormal masses of cells that can occur within the brain. These tumors can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). However, because brain tumors occur in the complex, delicate organ that controls most of our bodily functions — including thinking, memory, breathing, speech, vision, hearing and dozens of other important processes — all brain tumors are considered dangerous to a person’s health.

While malignant brain tumors don’t often spread (or “metastasize”) to other parts of the body, malignant brain tumors often spread to other parts of the brain. While benign brain tumors are not likely to spread, they can intrude on and press against healthy brain tissue as they grow, causing damage to the brain and life-threatening effects.

Tumors that begin in the brain are called “primary brain tumors.” However, other types of cancer that start in the body can spread to the brain. This results in what are called “secondary brain tumors” or “metastatic brain cancer.”

According to the American Cancer Society, brain tumors are classified based on several different factors. These factors often guide both the treatment path and prognosis.

Brain tumors are usually assigned what’s called a “grade.”

• Lower grade tumors (grades 1 and 2) aren’t as likely to invade other tissues and grow more slowly. Prognosis for lower-grade tumors is generally better

• Higher grade tumors (grades 3 and 4) grow more rapidly, and are more likely to spread into other parts of the brain. These tumors often require more invasive treatment efforts, and may have a worse long-term prognosis

There are many different types of brain tumors, each usually classified by where they start in the brain or the type of cells they started from. Types of brain tumors include:

• Craniopharyngiomas, which are tumors that begin between the bottom of the brain and the pituitary gland. These tumors often press on the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, and can cause issues with hormone secretion. Because they often occur close to the optic nerves, they can also cause problems with vision.

• Glioblastomas (also called GBM) are grade 4 malignant (cancerous) tumors predominantly made up of abnormal astrocytic cells, but also contains a mix of different cell types (including blood vessels) and areas of dead cells (necrosis). Glioblastomas can invade nearby regions of the brain and may also sometimes spread to the opposite side of the brain. It is exceedingly rare for glioblastomas to spread outside of the brain and spinal cord.

• Gliomas, which are tumors that start in specialized cells in the brain called glial cells. There are several subtypes of gliomas, including ependymomas, astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. According to the American Cancer Society, about 30% of brain tumors are gliomas.

• Meningiomas are tumors that start in meninges, which are the tissues that cover the outer part of the brain and spinal cord. According to the ACS, meningiomas are the most common non-metastatic brain tumors in adults.

• Gangliogliomas, which are rare, slow-growing tumors that include a mix of both abnormal glial cells and neurons.

• Medulloblastomas, which are tumors that develop in the cerebellum from immature nerve cells called neuroectodermal cells. Medulloblastomas are more common in children and adults.

• Schwannomas (AKA neurilemmomas), which are tumors that develop from specialized cells that protect and insulate nerves called Schwann cells. These tumors can begin in any nerve in the skull. When they occur on the nerve that controls balance and hearing, they are called “vestibular schwannomas.” Other forms of schwannomas can intrude on the upper spinal cord, causing issues with bowel/bladder control, muscle weakness and other effects.

Both cancerous and non-cancerous brain tumors cause symptoms that can severely impact a person’s health. These symptoms can be caused by malignant tumors spreading to other parts of the brain, or non-cancerous tumors pressing on nerves, the pituitary gland, spinal cord or brain tissue. Brain tumors can also increase what’s called intracranial pressure inside the skull, either through the growth of the tumor, causing the brain to swell, or blocking the movement of cerebrospinal fluid that the brain needs to function.

According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms caused by increased intracranial pressure due to a brain tumor can include:

• Headaches that grow in severity over time. While most headaches aren’t related to brain tumors, headaches are the most common symptom experienced by those with brain tumors, occurring in about half of those diagnosed according to the ACS.

• Unexplained drowsiness

• Sudden onset of coma

• Unexplained nausea or vomiting

• Blurred vision

• Seizures, though over 90% of first-time seizures are not related to brain tumors.

• Changes to a person’s behavior or personality

Issues with balance or walking

Other symptoms related to brain tumors can vary, depending on the part of the brain in which the tumor occurs. According to the American Cancer Society, these symptoms can include:

• Problems understanding words or speaking, which can be related to a tumor in the cerebellum near the part of the brain responsible for speech and language.

• Numbness or weakness, usually on only one side of the body, which can be related to a tumor in the part of the cerebellum that controls movement.

• Changes to personality or problems thinking, which can be related to tumors in the cerebellum.

• Trouble walking, issues with control of the hands and feet, problems swallowing and/or issues with controlling the eyes, which may be related to tumors in the lower-rear part of the cerebellum.

• Vision problems, which can be related to tumors near the optic nerve or other cranial nerves that control eye movement.

• Hearing loss, numbness or pain in the face, trouble swallowing and/or balance issues, which may be related to tumors pressing on or invading nerves in the head.

• Bladder/bowel control issues and/or numbness/weakness in the arms and legs, which can be related to tumors near the spinal cord.

• Over- or underproduction of certain hormones, which can be related to tumors in the skull base or near the pituitary gland. This can create hormone imbalances that seriously impact the normal function of the body. Learn more about skull base and pituitary tumors.