Brain Tumors: Primary - Introduction

Categories of Primary Glioma Brain Tumors by Cell Types

About half of all primary brain tumors are known collectively as gliomas. They are cancerous forms of glial cells, which are the building-block cells of the connective, or supportive, tissue in the central nervous system. There are several glial cells types from which gliomas form and are named:

Astrocytomas are primary brain tumors derived from astrocytes, which are star-shaped glial cells. Normal astrocytes provide nutrients, support, and insulation for nerve cells and are one of the primary neurologic cells in the body. The malignant astrocytomas called glioblastomas account for 23% of brain tumors and are the most common ones.
Oligodendrogliomas develop from oligodendrocyte glial cells, which form the protective coatings around nerve cells. Although oligodendrogliomas were thought to represent about 5% of all gliomas, more recent evidence suggests they may comprise about 20% of gliomas. Pure oligodendrogliomas, however, are rare and in most cases they occur in mixed gliomas.
Ependymomas are derived from ependymal cells, which line the ventricles (fluid-filled cavities) in the lower part of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. They constitute about 6% of all primary tumors in the central nervous system. About 30% of these tumors occur in the spinal cord.
Mixed Gliomas contain a mixture of malignant gliomas. About half of these tumors contain cancerous oligodendrocytes and astrocytes.

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It should be noted that gliomas may also contain cancer cells derived from brain cells other than glial cells.

Categories of Brain Tumors by Location

Some brain tumors are categorized by their location in the brain. Such tumors often contain gliomas but are also frequently a mixture of different cell types.

Meningiomas. Meningiomas are usually benign tumors that develop in the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord (the meninges).

Click the icon to see an image of the meninges.

They are not technically classified as brain tumors but they have similar symptoms and develop within the brain, and so in practical terms, they are considered to be brain tumors. In fact, they comprise 20% of all primary brain tumors. They occur more often in women than in men. Most grow very slowly, and the majority of people who have them never know they are present. Malignant forms called anaplastic meningiomas and hemangiopericytomas are less common and are difficult to remove surgically.

Cerebral Astrocytomas. Gliomas that develop inside the brain often occur in the cerebral hemispheres (the right and left sides of the brain). In such cases, they are referred to as cerebral astrocytomas. Gliomas sometimes occur in another part of the brain called the cerebellum, which is responsible for balance and coordination. In such cases, the term cerebellar astrocytoma is used.