The different types of brain tumours are usually named after the type of brain cells from which they come from. With the advances in investigatory equipment such as CT scans and MRI scans, your doctor may be able to predict the type of tumour present.
However for an exact diagnosis it is necessary to have a piece of the tumour examined under a microscope by a pathologist.
Tumour types call he divided into two main categories:
PRIMARY 1. Glial 2. Non Glial
SECONDARY Metastatic
Primary Brain Tumours
1. Glial Tumours
These are also known as GLIOMAS and originate from the cells within the brain. They may be named after the particular part of the brain in which they’re found e.g.; Brainstem Glioma.
When a diagnosis of a glioma is made it is normally graded. The standard grading system is from Grade I-Grade 4. If the tumour is a low-grade glioma (grade 1-2) It will tend to be slow growing. However higher grades are usually highly malignant and grow rapidly.
The most common types of gliomas are:
(A) ASTROCYTOMA
This is the commonest type of glioma and comes from cells known as astrocytes. As explained above these tumours are graded from 1-4, however a Grade 4 Astrocytoma can also be called a Glioblastoma Multiforme
(B) OLIGODENDROGLIOMA
These tend to be slightly more slow growing than the astrocytomas, and come from Oligodendrocytes which are cells that produce the fatty covering for nerve cells called the myelin sheath. ,
(C) MIXED GLIOMAS
This is when there is a mixture of types of cells from which the tumour grows.
(D) EPENDYMOMAS
A rare form of tumour that develops from the ependymal cells that line the ventricles of the brain.
2. Non Glial Tumours
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These tumours arise from structures outside the brain tissue, such as the outer coverings of the brain (meninges), glands such as the pituitary or pineal gland, or individual cranial nerves such as the acoustic nerve.
The more Common non-glial tumours are:
(A) MENINGIOMA
These arise from the coverings of the brain and normally occur in adults. They are nearly always benign and rarely infiltrate the brain.
(B) ACOUSTIC NEUROMA
These tend to be benign and occur along the auditory nerve, which can lead to deafness. They can often be associated with a genetic disease known as Neurofibromatosis.
(C) PITUITARY TUMOUR
The pituitary gland is also known as the .’master gland’ of the body. Tumours of this can cause hormone imbalances and visual disturbances. Most pituitary tumours are benign.
(D) LYMPHOMA
These are malignant tumours of the lymphocytes and tend to occur in patients whose immune system is compromised. It is unusual for these to present within the brain however they can occasionally.
Secondary Brain Tumours
Metastatic Brain Tumours
These are tumours that start in another area of the body and spread to the brain. They are also known as brain secondaries. The most common site for the primary tumour in this instance are lung, breast or malignant melanomas.