What is a Benign Brain Tumor?

A benign (non-cancerous) brain tumor is a mass of cells that grows relatively slowly in the brain.

Types of Benign Brain Tumors:

• Chordomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that are most prevalent in people ages 50 to 60. Their most common locations are the base of the skull and the lower portion of the spine. Although these tumors are benign, they may invade the adjacent bone and put pressure on nearby neural tissue.
• Craniopharyngiomas typically are benign but are difficult tumors to remove because of their location near critical structures deep in the brain. 
• Gangliocytomas, gangliomas, and anaplastic gangliogliomas are rare tumors that include neoplastic nerve cells that are relatively well-differentiated.
• Glomus jugulare tumors most frequently are benign and typically take place just under the skull base, at the top of the jugular vein. They are the most common form of glomus tumor.
• Meningiomas are the most common benign intracranial tumors that originate from meninges, the membrane-like structures that surround the brain and the spinal cord.
• Pineocytomas are generally benign lesions that arise from the pineal cells. They are most often well-defined, noninvasive, homogeneous, and slow-growing types of tumors.
• Pituitary adenomas are the most common intracranial tumors after gliomas, meningiomas, and schwannomas. The large majority of pituitary adenomas are benign and fairly slow-growing. Even malignant pituitary tumors rarely spread to other parts of the body. Most of these tumors can be treated successfully.
• Schwannomas are a type of brain tumor that arises along nerves, comprised of cells that normally provide the “electrical insulation” for the nerve cells. Schwannomas often displace the remainder of the normal nerve instead of invading it. Acoustic neuromas are the most common schwannoma, arising from the eighth cranial nerve, or vestibulocochlear nerve, which travels from the brain to the ear. Although these tumors are benign, they can cause serious complications and even death if they grow and exert pressure on nerves and eventually on the brain. Other locations include the spine and, more rarely, along nerves that go to the limbs.

What is a Malignant Brain Tumor?

A malignant brain tumor is a

fast-growing cancer that spreads to other areas of the brain and spine

Types of Malignant Brain Tumors:

• Astrocytomas are the most common glioma, accounting for about half of all primary brain and spinal cord tumors. Astrocytomas develop from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes, part of the supportive tissue of the brain. They may occur in many parts of the brain, but most commonly in the cerebrum.
• Ependymomas are derived from a neoplastic transformation of the ependymal cells lining the ventricular system.
• Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive type of glial tumor. These tumors tend to grow rapidly and spread to other tissues. They may be composed of several different kinds of cells, such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
• Oligodendrogliomas are derived from the cells that make myelin, which is the insulation for the wiring of the brain.