Types Of Brain Tumors
What are the different types of brain tumors? Types of brain tumors are masses of malignant cells that can grow in the brain or its envelopes. Are generally divided into two categories:
(1) Primary tumors of the brain, which develop from brain cells and 2) brain metastases
Primary tumors of the brain are classified by type of malignant cell which it has generated in glial tumors (from astrocytes, oligodendrocytes or ependim), neuronal tumors originating from nerve cells, meningeal tumors, originating from cells lining covering brain and schwanoame.
Primary tumors of the brain, in particular astrocytomas shall be graduated after a system proposed by the World Health Organization, from the grade I to grade IV. The cause of these tumors is unknown, and epidemiological studies had not found specific risk factors. The frequency of these diseases increases with age, and has not been identified environmental factors or genetic to determine appearance Irradiation performed in life increases the risk for other diseases gliomas and meningioma’s.
Brain metastases are directly related to the primary tumor that resulted. The most common tumors which give, metastasis to the brain are: pulmonary tumors, the breast cancer, the kidney cancer, and melanoma and colon cancer.
Types of brain tumors: there are very many types of brain tumors. We will list a few.
Astrocytoma: comes from astrocytes which are cells of the nervous system support. Degree of malignancy is determined by anatomical pathologist basis on the characteristics of cells.
Low-grade astrocytoma’s represents over 15% of tumors at young persons, and survival to 10 years is 50 %.
Glioblastoma: Are the most common and more aggressive tumor of the brain, representing 25% of all tumors, mainly for age between 55-75 years old. Survival after surgery and oncology treatment is approximately 13 months.
Oligodendroglia: tumor is derived from oligodendrocytes, cells that produce myelin that cover nerve. Represent 15-20 percent of the total for this types of brain tumors and occur more often between 33 and 55 years. Survival is better than in the case of astrocytoma’s.
Ependymal: tumor which occurs in the ependymal cells. Tumor appears in both adult and child, has a frequency of occurrence less than, and survival to 5 years is around 50-60 %.
Meningioma: appears in arachnoid cells that surround the brain. Represents about 25% for this types of brain tumors. And its incidence increase with age. The vast majorities are benign and may treat them with success by neurosurgical resection. A part of them benefit from r radiosurgery.
Dermoid and epidermoid: these are tumors that occur in particular in the brain and are benign lesions consisting of keratin. They are usually on the midline and may include elements of skin, hair, and sweat glands sebaceous glands. Shall be accompanied by dermal sinuses (holes to the skin). Treat by neurosurgical resection.
Schwanoma: appears from the Schwan cells typically covering peripheral nerves, and represents 8-10% of the total tumors. The most common location is in pit upon the nerve posterior fossa vestibulo-cochlear nerve or trigeminal nerve. These tumors are usually benign and can be cured by surgery. Radiosurgery may be useful for the treatment of small lesions.
