Brain Tumor Center

Brain Tumors (Astrocytoma)

What are brain tumors?

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Tumors in the brain may be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells or invade other tissue, but they can cause pressure in areas of the brain and cause symptoms.

Malignant tumors that start in any tissue of the brain are classified as primary brain cancer or brain cancer. Primary brain cancer rarely metastasizes (spreads) to other parts of the body. Cancer that starts in another part of the body and metastasizes to the brain is classified as secondary brain cancer or metastatic brain cancer. Primary brain cancer and secondary brain cancer are usually treated differently.

What are the types of primary brain tumors?

Primary brain tumors are named for the tissue in which they start. The most common primary brain tumors are gliomas, which begin in the glial tissue. There are several types of gliomas:

Astrocytomas: tumors that start from cells called astrocytes found anywhere in the brain or spinal cord.
Brain stem gliomas: tumors that start in the glial tissue of the brain stem.
Ependymomas: tumors that usually start in the lining of the ventricles, but may begin in the spinal cord.
Oligodendroliomas: tumors that begin in the cells that produce myelin (the fatty covering of the nerves).

There are also several other types of brain tumors, including:

Medulloblastomas are tumors that begin in developing nerve cells, usually in the cerebellum, but also in other areas.
Meningiomas are tumors that begin in the meninges and are usually benign (non-cancerous).
Schwannomas are tumors that begin in the Schwann cells that produce myelin that covers the acoustic nerves.
Craniopharyngiomas are tumors that develop in the pituitary gland near the hypothalamus and are usually benign, but may be considered malignant because they cause damage to the hypothalamus.
Germ cell tumors are tumors that begin in developing sex cells.
Pineal region tumors are tumors that begin in or around the pineal gland.

How are brain tumors diagnosed and treated?

To learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of brain tumors, see the following detail pages:

Adult Brain Tumors

Childhood Brain Tumors:

The University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center

The University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center treats most adult and childhood brain tumors in its Brain Tumor Center, which is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and researchers who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer.

To make an appointment or to talk with someone about our treatment programs and services, call our toll-free number: 1-800-888-8823

This page was last updated on: May 14, 2009.