The abnormal growth and multiplication of cells in an abnormal mass of tissue present in the brain is called brain tumor or an intracranial tumor. These tumors divide at an uncontrollable rate and can be very dangerous if left unchecked. Usually they are not detected by the mechanisms of the body that keep a check on normally growing cells. The rate at which it grows vary from person to person. However these tumors can seriously compromise a person’s nervous system, it depends upon the location and the division rate. These tumors have multiple treatment options that too depend on the general physical health of the patient, size, location and type of the tumor.
Here in this article, India’s best neurosurgeon Dr. Kalyan Bommakanti has briefly explained the various types of brain tumors:
Primary brain tumors:
Brain tumors that originate within the brain cells are called primary or benign tumors. These tumors are not cancerous. These tumors usually grow at a slow rate. They don’t spread to other parts of the brain but still can be life-threatening. They can compromise vital parts and functions of brain by compressing them. Some serious neurological disorders can occur by this.
Some of the common examples of primary brain tumors are:
- Meningioma
- Chordomas
- Pineocytomas
- Pituitary adenomas
- Schwannomas
- Craniopharyngiomas
- Gangliocytomas
- Germ cells tumors
Secondary brain tumors:
Tumors that are spread from any other part of body are called secondary or metastatic tumors. These tumors are considered cancerous and are spread usually through the bloodstream. Some common cancers that can spread to brain are lung cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, skin cancer or colon cancer. These tumors are very dangerous in nature as they have a high growth rate and are metastasizing rapidly.
Types of malignant brain tumors are as follows:
- Oligodendroglioma
- Astrocytoma
- Ependymomas
- Glioblastomas
- Medulloblastomas.