Types of brain tumours

Most adult brain tumours start in the glial cells. Glial cells are glue-like cells that keep the brain together. These tumours are called gliomas.

Non-glial tumours start in areas outside the brain tissue, for example in the nerves, the covering of the brain (the meninges) or the nearby glands, such as the pituitary or pineal gland. 

Astrocytoma is the most common type of glioma.

It develops in cells called astrocytes. There are 4 grades of astrocytoma. The grade explains how abnormal the cells are and how likely it is that the cells will continue to grow and invade normal brain tissue. Astrocytomas can also be slow growing (low grade) or fast growing (high grade).

Types of astrocytoma

• Grade 1 or pilocytic astrocytoma is a slow-growing tumour that is usually benign.
• Grade 2 or low-grade diffuse astrocytoma is a slow-growing tumour that can become a higher grade.
• Grade 3 or anaplastic astrocytoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumour that can grow quickly and spread.
• Grade 4 or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive form of malignant (cancerous) astrocytoma. It is the most common type of glioma found in adults.

There are other, rarer, types of glioma cancers such as oligodendroglioma, mixed glioma and ependymoma. 

Call our Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre if you want to know more about these rarer cancers. 

A meningioma is a common type of primary brain tumour. They begin in the meninges (the protective tissues covering the brain and spinal cord).

Most meningiomas are grade 1 and most are benign. 

They can cause serious symptoms if they grow and press on the brain or spinal cord, or if they grow into the brain tissue.

There are other rarer types of non-glial tumours such as pituitary gland tumours, pineal tumours, medulloblastomas, craniopharyngiomas and vestibular schwannomas (VS).

Call our Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre if you want to know more about these rarer types of cancer.