Tumor types

Tumor grouping

As we have mentioned in other pages of our wiki there are over 120 tumor types, differing from their symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and side effects. That's why it’s challenging to diagnose and treat brain tumors. There are two general groups of brain tumor: [1], [2]

Primary brain tumors
Primary brain tumors are tumors that start in the brain and tend to stay there. There are many types and subtypes of primary brain tumors. They can develop from your brain cells, the membranes that surround your brain, which are called meninges, nerve cells, glands. Primary tumors can be benign or cancerous. In adults, the most common types of brain tumors are gliomas, meningiomas, medullablastomas, pituitary adenomas, and central nervous system lymphomas. [3], [4]
Secondary brain tumors
A secondary (metastatic) brain tumor occurs when cancer cells spread to the brain from a primary cancer in another part of the body. Secondary tumors are about three times more common than primary tumors of the brain. Solitary metastasized brain cancers may occur but are less common than multiple tumors. Most often, cancers that spread to the brain to cause secondary brain tumors originate in the lung, breast, kidney, or from melanomas in the skin. All metastatic brain tumors are malignant. [4], [5]

Brain tumor types are also partitioned depending if they are cancerous (if the cells contain cancer) or not. They are divided into:

Benign brain tumors
Benign brain tumors don't have cancer cells. They grow slowly, can often be removed, and rarely spread to the brain tissue around them. They can cause problems if they press on certain areas of the brain, though. Depending on where they are located in the brain, they can be life-threatening and they can become malignant. [4], [6]
Malignant brain tumors
Malignant brain tumors have cancer cells. The rates of growth vary but they are likely to grow rapidly and crowd or can invade healthy brain tissue nearby. Malignant tumors rarely spread beyond the brain or spinal cord. [6]
The picture below shows the difference between benign and malign tumor
[7]

This partition of brain tumor types gives an understanding regarding the definition of cancer and it's difference with tumor.

Cancer vs Tumor

Tumors and cancers are different. A tumor develops when a lesion or lump is formed in your body due to abnormal cellular growth. In the case of cancer, this cellular growth is uncontrollable and it spreads in the body. Both can be detected with an MRI scan. This leads to the conclusion that tumor it is NOT always cancer. Only the other way round it is true: cancer it is tumor. This conclusion makes a big difference on everything. [8]

Tumor types

Down below are listed some of the tumor types (common or not as much) in alphabetical order:

Astrocytoma
Astrocytomas are tumors that arise from astrocytes (star-shaped cells) that make up the “glue-like” or supportive tissue of the brain. In adults, they are most commonly found in the cerebrum where they cause pressure, seizures and personality changes. Astrocytomas are generally subdivided into low (grade I & II) or high grade (grade III & IV). High grade (grade IV) are the most malignant of all brain tumors, known as glioblastoma. These tumors are “graded” on a scale from I to IV based on how normal or abnormal the cells look. Low-grade astrocytomas are usually localized and grow slowly. High-grade astrocytomas grow at a rapid pace and require a different course of treatment. Most astrocytoma tumors in children are low grade. In adults, the majority are high grade. [9]
Atypical Teratoid Rhaboid Tumor (ATRT)
ATRTs are rare, high-grade tumors that occur most often in children age 3 and younger. They tend to be fast-growing and frequently spread through the central nervous system. About half of ATRTs are found in the cerebellum or brain stem. However, they may appear anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. An ATRT can appear as a large, bulky mass. [10]
Central nervous system (CNS) LYMPHOMA
CNS Lymphoma is a malignant primary brain tumor that originates from the lymphocytes found in the brain, spinal cord, or eyes. It typically remains confined to the CNS. Treatment commonly includes chemotherapy and/or radiation. [11]
Chondrosarcoma
Chondroma is a rare, benign tumor that tends to arise at the base of the skull, especially in the area near the pituitary gland. These tumors are generally very slow-growing and may be present for a long time before causing any symptoms. The malignant (cancerous) form of chondroma is chondrosarcoma. There are several different types of chondrosarcoma, including conventional, clear cell, mesenchymal, and dedifferentiated. Conventional chondrosarcoma are further subdivided into grade I, grade II, and grade III. [12]
Choroid Plexus
These tumors arise from brain tissue called the “choroid plexus.” They commonly invade nearby tissue and spread widely via the cerebrospinal fluid. Choroid plexus papilloma is a rare, benign (noncancerous) tumor. Choroid plexus carcinoma is the malignant (cancerous) form of the choroid plexus papilloma. Choroid plexus carcinoma occurs primarily in children. These tumors arise from the choroid plexus, which lines the ventricles of the brain and produces cerebrospinal fluid. Lateral and third ventricle tumors tend to be found in very young children. Fourth ventricle and cerebellopontine angle tumors (the angle between the cerebrum and the pons of the brain stem) generally occur in patients ages 20-35. [13]
These tumors arise from the choroid plexus, which lines the ventricles of the brain and produces cerebrospinal fluid.
Glioblastoma GBM
Glioblastomas (GBM) are tumors that arise from astrocytes—the star-shaped cells that make up the “glue-like,” or supportive tissue of the brain. These tumors are usually highly malignant (cancerous) because the cells reproduce quickly and they are supported by a large network of blood vessels. Glioblastomas are generally found in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, but can be found anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastomas usually contain a mix of cell types. It is not unusual for these tumors to contain cystic mineral, calcium deposits, blood vessels, or a mixed grade of cells. [14]
CT scan of Glioblastoma Glioblastoma Brain Tumor Glioblastoma Grade 4
[15]
Glioma
“Glioma” is a general term used to describe any tumor that arises from the supportive (“gluey”) tissue of the brain. This tissue, called “glia,” helps to keep the neurons in place and functioning well. There are three types of normal glial cells that can produce tumors. An astrocyte will produce astrocytomas (including glioblastomas), an oligodendrocyte will produce oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas come from ependymal cells. Tumors that display a mixture of these different cells are called mixed gliomas. Tumors such as “optic nerve glioma” and “brain stem glioma” are named for their locations, not the tissue type from which they originate. The location of the tumor depends on the type of cells from which it originates. [16]
Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma is a fast-growing, high-grade tumor. It is the most common of the embryonal tumors—tumors that arise from “emybryonal” or “immature” cells at the earliest stage of their development. Medulloblastoma is always located in the cerebellum—the lower, rear portion of the brain. It is unusual for medulloblastomas to spread outside the brain and spinal cord. Medulloblastoma is relatively rare, accounting for less than 2% of all primary brain tumors and 18% of all pediatric brain tumors. More than 70% of all pediatric medulloblastomas are diagnosed in children under age 10. Very few occur in children up to age 1. Treatment consists of surgical removal of as much tumor as possible, radiation, and then chemotherapy (in older children and adults). [17]
Meningioma
Meningiomas are often benign tumors arising from the coverings of the brain and spinal cord. They represent about one-third of all primary brain tumors and occur most frequently in middle-aged women. Although meningiomas are referred to as brain tumors, they do not grow from brain tissue. They arise from the meninges, which are three thin layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. These tumors are most often found near the top and the outer curve of the brain. Tumors may also form at the base of the skull. Meningiomas usually grow inward, causing pressure on the brain or spinal cord. They also can grow outward toward the skull, causing it to thicken. Most meningiomas are noncancerous, slow-growing tumors. Some contain sacs of fluid (cysts), mineral deposits (calcifications), or tightly packed bunches of blood vessels. Surgery and radiation are the most common forms of treatment for meningioma. [18]
Metastatic Brain Tumor
A metastatic, or secondary, brain tumor is formed by cancer cells from a primary cancer elsewhere in the body that have spread to the brain. The locations of metastatic brain tumors varies. Symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor. [19]
Neuronal & Mixed Neuronal-Glial Tumors
These rare, benign tumors come from ganglion-type cells, which are groups of nerve cells. These tumors are commonly located in the temporal lobe of the cerebral hemispheres and the third ventricle. They may also occur in the spine. These tumors are small and slow-growing and have distinct margins. Metastasis and malignancy are very rare.Seizures are the most common symptom experienced by patients with these kinds of tumors. These tumors most often occur in children and young adults, and they are more common in females. [20]
Pituitary Tumors
Tumors arising from the pituitary gland itself are called adenomas or carcinomas. Pituitary adenomas are benign, slow-growing masses that represent about 10% of primary brain tumors. Pituitary carcinoma is the rare malignant form of pituitary adenoma. Most pituitary adenomas grow in the front two-thirds of the pituitary gland. These tumors are classified as “secreting” and “non-secreting.” A “secreting tumor” produces excessive amounts of hormones. Most pituitary tumors fall into this category; they are further classified by the type(s) of hormone they produce. [21]
The pituitary gland is involved in the production of several essential hormones.
SCHWANNOMAS
Schwannomas are usually benign tumors that arise from the supporting nerve cells called vestibular schwannomas or acoustic neuromas. Vestibular schwannomas often cause hearing loss, or problems with balance or weakness on one side of the face. Surgery can be difficult because of where they are located. Sometimes radiation (or a combination of surgery and radiation) is used to treat these tumors. [22]

Bibliography

Seitenhierarchie

Tumor grouping

Primary brain tumors

Secondary brain tumors

Benign brain tumors

Malignant brain tumors

Cancer vs Tumor

Tumor types

Astrocytoma

Atypical Teratoid Rhaboid Tumor (ATRT)

Central nervous system (CNS) LYMPHOMA

Chondrosarcoma

Choroid Plexus

Glioblastoma GBM

Glioma

Medulloblastoma

Meningioma

Metastatic Brain Tumor

Neuronal & Mixed Neuronal-Glial Tumors

Pituitary Tumors

SCHWANNOMAS

Bibliography

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