Astrocytoma
Astrocytoma is a type of cancer that can form in the brain or spinal cord. Astrocytoma begins in cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.
Astrocytoma signs and symptoms depend on the location of your tumour. Astrocytomas that occur in the brain can cause seizures, headaches and nausea. Astrocytomas that occur in the spinal cord can cause weakness and disability in the area affected by the growing tumour.
Astrocytoma can be a slow-growing tumour, or it can be an aggressive cancer that grows quickly. The aggressiveness (grade) of your astrocytoma determines your prognosis and treatment options.
Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.
Glioblastoma can occur at any age, but tends to occur more often in older adults. It can cause worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting and seizures.
Glioblastoma, can be very difficult to treat and a cure is often not possible. Treatments may slow the progression of cancer and reduce signs and symptoms.
Ependymoma
Ependymoma is a type of tumour that can form in the brain or spinal cord. Ependymoma begins in the ependymal cells in the brain and spinal cord that line the passageways where the fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) that nourishes your brain flows.
Ependymoma can occur at any age, but most often occurs in young children. Children with ependymoma may experience headaches and seizures. Ependymoma that occurs in adults is more likely to form in the spinal cord and may cause weakness in the part of the body controlled by the nerves that are affected by the tumour.
Surgery is the primary treatment for ependymoma. For more aggressive tumours or for tumours that can't be removed completely with surgery, additional treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, may be recommended.
Oligodendroglioma
Oligodendroglioma is a tumour that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. Oligodendroglioma forms from oligodendrocytes — cells in the brain and spinal cord that produce a substance that protects nerve cells.
Oligodendroglioma can occur at any age, but most often affects adults. Signs and symptoms can include seizures and headaches. Weakness or disability can occur in the part of the body that's controlled by the nerve cells affected by the tumour.
Oligodendroglioma treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumour. Additional treatments may be necessary if the tumour is aggressive or is more likely to recur.
Meningioma
A meningioma is a tumour that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. Although not technically a brain tumour, it is included in this category because it may compress or squeeze the adjacent brain, nerves and vessels. Meningioma is the most common type of tumour that forms in the head.
Most meningiomas grow very slowly, often over many years without causing symptoms. But sometimes, their effects on nearby brain tissue, nerves or vessels may cause serious disability.
Meningiomas occur more commonly in women and are often discovered at older ages, but may occur at any age.
Because most meningiomas grow slowly, often without any significant signs and symptoms, they do not always require immediate treatment and may be monitored over time.
Pituitary tumours
Pituitary tumours are abnormal growths that develop in your pituitary gland. Some pituitary tumours result in too many of the hormones that regulate important functions of your body. Some pituitary tumours can cause your pituitary gland to produce lower levels of hormones.
Most pituitary tumours are noncancerous (benign) growths (adenomas). Adenomas remain in your pituitary gland or surrounding tissues and don't spread to other parts of your body.
There are various options for treating pituitary tumours, including removing the tumour, controlling its growth and managing your hormone levels with medications.
Craniopharyngiomas
Craniopharyngioma is a rare type of noncancerous (benign) brain tumour.
Craniopharyngioma begins near the brain's pituitary gland, which secretes hormones that control many body functions. As a craniopharyngioma slowly grows, it can affect the function of the pituitary gland and other nearby structures in the brain.
Craniopharyngioma can occur at any age, but it occurs most often in children and older adults. Symptoms include gradual changes in vision, fatigue, excessive urination and headaches. Children with craniopharyngioma may grow slowly and may be smaller than expected.
Pineal region tumours
Pineoblastoma is a rare, aggressive type of cancer that begins in the cells of the brain's pineal gland. Your pineal gland, located in the center of your brain, produces a hormone (melatonin) that plays a role in your natural sleep-wake cycle.
Pineoblastoma can occur at any age, but it tends to occur most often in young children. Pineoblastoma may cause headaches, sleepiness and subtle changes in the way the eyes move.
Medulloblastomas
Medulloblastoma is a cancerous (malignant) brain tumour that starts in the lower back part of the brain, called the cerebellum. The cerebellum is involved in muscle coordination, balance and movement.
Medulloblastoma tends to spread through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the fluid that surrounds and protects your brain and spinal cord — to other areas around the brain and spinal cord. This tumour rarely spreads to other areas of the body.
Choroid plexus carcinoma
A choroid plexus carcinoma is a rare cancerous (malignant) brain tumour that occurs mainly in children.
A choroid plexus carcinoma begins near the brain tissue that secretes cerebrospinal fluid. A noncancerous tumour of this area is called a choroid plexus papilloma. As the tumour grows, it can affect the function of nearby structures in the brain, causing excess fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus), irritability, nausea or vomiting, and headaches.
Brain metastases
Brain metastases occur when cancer cells spread from their original site to the brain. Any cancer can spread to the brain, but the types most likely to cause brain metastases are lung, breast, colon, kidney and melanoma.
Skull Base Tumour
Skull base tumours are grouped by location and the type of cells in the tumour. Where a skull base tumour begins can make a difference in the type of cancer cells. The location also can influence symptoms and treatment.
Skull base tumours may start from:
- Areas below the skull base, such as the nasal sinus or inner ear.
- Brain tumours that grow down toward the skull base.
- The bones of the skull base.
Skull Base Tumour Symptoms
Skull base tumours may not produce symptoms until they grow large. If they do have signs, they vary from person to person depending on where the tumour is and how fast it is growing.
Skull base tumour symptoms may include:
- Pain or numbness in the face
- Weakness in the face
- Headache
- Recurrent sinus problems
- Stopped-up nose
- Loss of sense of smell
- Vision loss
- Double vision
- Hearing loss
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness, losing your voice
- Difficulty swallowing and frequent choking
Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have a skull base tumour. But you should talk to your doctor if you have any of these signs. They may mean you have other health problems.
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