08/25/2026
Brain tumors are no longer rare these days. Brain tumors that begin in the brain are called primary brain tumors. When the cancer spreads to the brain from other parts of the body, they are called secondary brain tumors, also called metastatic brain tumors.
There are many different types of primary brain tumors. Some brain tumors are not cancer. These are called noncancerous brain tumors or benign brain tumors. Noncancerous brain tumors may grow over time and press on the brain tissue. Other brain tumors are brain cancers, also called malignant brain tumors. Brain cancers may grow quickly. The cancer cells can invade and destroy brain tissue.
Known Risk Factors
Ionizing radiation: Strong radiation exposure, such as past radiation therapy to the head for other cancers, increases risk.
Inherited syndromes: Rare genetic conditions passed down in families—like neurofibromatosis or Li-Fraumeni syndrome—raise the chance of developing a tumor.
Family history: A small percentage of cases are linked to an inherited family history of brain tumors.
Age: While they can happen at any age, primary brain tumors are more common in children and older adults.
Weakened immune system: People with suppressed immune systems have a higher risk for specific types like central nervous system lymphoma.
Brain tumors range in size from very small to very large. Some brain tumors are found when they are very small because they cause symptoms that you notice right away. Other brain tumors grow very large before they're found. Some parts of the brain are less active than others. If a brain tumor starts in a part of the brain that's less active, it might not cause symptoms right away. The brain tumor could become quite large before the tumor is found.
Brain cancers and brain tumors are not classified by stage as some types of cancer are. Brain tumors are graded from 1 to 4 based on a classification system of the World Health Organization (WHO). Grade 1 brain tumors are the least aggressive and grow slowly. Grade 4 brain tumors are the most aggressive and grow quickly. Grade 4 tumors are typically more difficult to treat and have lower survival rates than lower grade tumors.
Brain tumor treatment options depend on the type of brain tumor you have, as well as its size and location. Common treatments include surgery and radiation therapy.
Types of brain tumors include:
Gliomas and related brain tumors.Gliomas are growths of cells that start in glial cells. The glial cells surround and support nerve cells in the brain tissue. Types of gliomas and related brain tumours include astrocytoma, glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma and ependymoma. Gliomas can be benign, but most are malignant.
Glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumor.
Choroid plexus tumors. Choroid plexus tumors start in cells that make the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid. Choroid plexus tumors are located in the fluid-filled cavities in the brain, called the ventricles. Choroid plexus tumors can be benign or malignant. Choroid plexus carcinoma is the malignant form of this type of brain tumor. It's more common in children.
Embryonal tumors. Embryonal tumorsbegin in cells that are left over from fetal development. The cells, called embryonal cells, stay in the brain after birth. Embryonal tumors are malignant brain tumors that happen most often in babies and young children. The most common type of embryonal tumor is medulloblastoma. These tumors are usually located in the lower back part of the brain, called the cerebellum.
Germ cell tumors. Germ cell tumors start in reproductive cells, called germ cells, that go on to become s***m and egg cells. Germ cells are mostly in the ovaries and testicles. But sometimes they're in other parts of the body, including the brain. When germ cell tumors happen in the brain, they're often located near the pineal gland, which is located in the center of the brain, or the pituitary gland, which is located near the base of the brain. Germ cell tumors are mostly benign. They're more common in children.
Pineal tumors. Pineal tumors start in and around the brain's pineal gland. It makes a hormone called melatonin that helps with sleep. Pineal tumors can be benign or malignant. Pineoblastoma is a malignant type of pineal tumor that's most common in children.
Meningiomas. Meningiomas are brain tumors that start in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas are usually benign, but sometimes they can be malignant. Meningiomas are the most common type of benign brain tumor.
Nerve tumors. Nerve tumors are growths that happen in and around nerves. The most common type that happens in the head is acoustic neuroma, also called schwannoma. This benign tumor is located on the main nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain.
Pituitary tumors. Brain tumors can begin in and around the pituitary gland. Most tumors that happen in and around the pituitary gland are benign. Pituitary tumorshappen in the pituitary gland itself. Craniopharyngioma is a type of brain tumor that happens near the pituitary gland.
Other brain tumors. Many other types of rare tumors can happen in and around the brain. Tumors can start in the muscles, blood vessels and connective tissue around the brain. Tumors can form in the bones of the skull. Malignant brain tumors can start from the germ-fighting immune system cells in the brain. This type of brain cancer is called primary central nervous system lymphoma.
Homeopathy has some successful brain cancer treatments.
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