Understanding different types of brain cancer

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Oct 18, 2023

A brain tumor is a solid mass of abnormal cells in your brain. No matter whether the tumor is malignant or non-malignant, abnormal growth of cells in the brain can cause functional issues and brain damage, which could be life-threatening.

What is a brain tumor?

A brain tumor is an abnormal enlargement of cells in the brain. Brain tumors and spinal tumors together, are called central nervous system tumors. These tumors can be benign or malignant. Around one-third of the brain tumors are malignant. However, abnormal cell growth can cause pressure inside your skull, nerves, and blood vessels, which can cause brain damage.

What are the types of brain tumors?

Studies have shown that there are over 150 types of brain tumors. Medical specialists categorize brain tumors as glial (developed from glial cells of your brain) or non-glial (formed on or in the structure of the brain), and benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Some types of brain tumors can also develop in the spinal cord or column.

The following are examples of benign brain tumors:

• Meningiomas: These are the most common types of slow-growing brain tumors, developed in the meninges (a tissue layer that protects the brain and spinal cord). Although meningiomas are mainly benign tumors, they can also be malignant.
• Chordomas: These tumors are slow-growing and form at the base of the brain and the bottom part of the spine. Most chordomas are non-cancerous.
• Craniopharyngiomas: These types of tumors develop in a certain portion of the pituitary gland. They are very difficult to remove, as they are generally located near the critical brain structures.

Around 78% of malignant or cancerous tumors are gliomas (tumors that develop in the glial cells). Common types of malignant brain tumors include:

• Astrocytoma: This type of tumor is the most common gliomas that form in the star-shaped glial cells known as astrocytes. Astrocytes can develop in several parts of the brain but generally develop in the cerebrum.
• Glioblastoma: These are fast-growing tumors that form in the astrocytes.
• Ependymomas: These malignant tumors generally occur near the ventricles of the brain. Ependymomas develop from the ependymal cells or radial glial cells.
• Medulloblastoma: These cancerous tumors are fast-growing brain tumors that form at the base of the skull. Medulloblastoma is mainly common in children.

How serious are brain tumors?

Non-cancerous and cancerous, both types of brain tumors can cause a wide range of severe complications because our skull is compact, which does not have enough space for the tumor to grow. Besides, if a tumor develops in the critical parts of the brain, it can cause serious symptoms. The symptoms include:

• Severe weakness
• Trouble walking
• Balancing issues
• Difficulties in understanding and thinking
• Partial or complete loss of vision
• Memory loss

Brain tumors can:

• Cause bleeding inside your brain
• Destroy healthy brain tissues
• Cause fluid buildup in your brain
• Put pressure on the skull and on the nearby tissues

Healthcare advisers generally use neurological exams and MRIs to detect a brain tumor. Apart from the brain tumor, there are several types of tumors that can develop anywhere in your body. As tumors do not cause many symptoms at the beginning stage, it is essential to get a health checkup regularly. You can go for thyrocare full body checkup packages or an aarogyam test to get complete knowledge about your health.