Other types of tumors

Medulloblastomas begin in the lower part of the brain. This type of cancer may spread to the spine or to other parts of the body. Medulloblastomas are considered to be primitive neuroectodermal tumors or PNETs because they contain nervous system cells that did not develop properly at a very early stage of life. Although they can affect people of any age, 75 percent of all cases occur in children. About 1 in 5 childhood brain tumors is a medulloblastoma, with 350 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States.

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Pineal region tumors are found in or around the pineal gland, a small structure located near the center of the brain that produces melatonin. There are many types of pineal region tumors, and they can be slow growing (pineocytomas) or fast growing (pineoblastomas).

Germ cell tumors arise from primitive cells that normally develop into the testicles and ovaries but also can occur in other parts of the body, including the brain. There are different kinds of germ cell tumors, including germinomas, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and teratomas.

Craniopharyngiomas are tumors that occur near the pituitary gland, which is responsible for many body functions, such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction. These are most common in children.

Meningiomas are slow-growing tumors in the meninges, or membranes covering the brain. They are usually benign but can be difficult to remove through surgery and can recur. They generally do not recur if they are completely removed. Meningiomas most often occur as single tumors but can occur as multiple growths. Malignant meningiomas are rare tumors that grow more quickly than other meningiomas. Meningiomas account for 15 percent to 20 percent of all primary brain tumors. They most often occur in people between the ages of 40 and 60. They are more common in women than in men and are rare in children.

Choroid plexus tumors start in the choroid plexus, tissue located in the brain's ventricles. The choroid plexus makes the fluid that fills the ventricles and surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Tumors of the choroid plexus can grow slowly (choroid plexus papilloma) or more rapidly (anaplastic choroid plexus papilloma) . The rapidly growing tumors are more likely to spread to other places in the brain and to the spinal cord.

Schwannomas are tumors that originate in the schwann cells of nerves. Vestibular schwannomas (also known as acoustic neuromas) are tumors of the nerve that controls balance and hearing in the inner ear. The tumor occurs most often in adults.

Childhood supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors occur in the upper part of the brain. Sometimes called cerebral neuroblastomas, they can spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord.