Types of Brain Tumors: Learn About Each One Now

The four most common types of brain tumors are gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary tumors, and acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas). Don't mistake the first warning signs of a brain tumor for other things; the key symptoms are persistent or worsening headaches, unexplained nausea or vomiting, vision problems, and changes in balance or coordination.

According to Healthline, a person has less than a 1% chance of developing a malignant brain tumor in their lifetime. However, around 24,000 people in the US had a malignant brain tumor diagnosed in 2023, so it may be a more common occurrence than you think.

If you're now worried, then the first step to take is to educate yourself. Start by learning about the common types of brain tumors and what early warning signs they can have.

What Are the Four Most Common Types of Brain Tumors?

There are actually over 100 types of primary brain tumors, but there's not enough room to go over them all. Instead, here are the four most common types.

1. Gliomas

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor. As their name suggests, they originate from glial cells, which support and protect nerve cells in the brain.

Types of gliomas include:

• Astrocytomas
• Oligodendrogliomas
• Glioblastomas

They can range from slow-growing (low-grade) to very aggressive (high-grade).

Symptoms of gliomas can include:

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Personality changes
• Difficulty with movement and speech

Treatment usually entails a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

2. Meningiomas

Meningiomas are a type of brain tumor that develops from the meninges, which are the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The good news is that meningiomas are typically benign and slow-growing.

Most patients don't receive a brain cancer diagnosis from these tumors, but they can still cause serious symptoms if they're allowed to grow large enough to press on the brain or nerves. Symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Seizures
• Weakness in certain parts of the body

The main type of treatment is usually surgery. If the meningiomas can't be removed completely, then radiation therapy is used to control growth.

3. Pituitary Tumors

Pituitary tumors grow in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Although they're usually noncancerous, they can still have a profound impact on your health.

This is because the pituitary gland controls many of the body's hormones, and tumors can affect key processes. For example, some may produce excess hormones (leading to other conditions like Cushing's disease) while others interfere with normal hormone production.

Symptoms of pituitary tumors are:

• Vision problems
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight changes
• Hormonal imbalances

The brain tumor treatment options here are surgery, medication, radiation therapy, or a combination of all of these. Fortunately, many pituitary tumors can be removed using minimally invasive techniques through the nasal passage.

4. Acoustic Neuromas (Vestibular Schwannomas)

Acoustic neuromas are also benign tumors, and they develop on the nerve that's responsible for balance and hearing. They're usually slow-growing and don't spread to other parts of the body either.

However, if the tumor's allowed to enlarge, you may experience serious symptoms. The tumor may press on nearby nerves or the brainstem, which can cause facial numbness or weakness. Otherwise, early signs include:

• Hearing loss in one ear
• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
• Dizziness
• Balance problems

Treatment options include regular monitoring, surgery, or targeted radiation therapy.

What Are the First Warning Signs of a Brain Tumor?

What's daunting about the first symptoms of brain tumors is that not only can they develop gradually, but they're also easy to mistake for stress, migraines, or other common health issues.

The key signs to watch out for are:

• Persistent or worsening headaches, especially those that feel different from usual or are worse in the morning
• Unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Vision problems (e.g., blurred or double vision)
• Changes in balance or coordination

Some people may also experience memory issues, personality changes, or difficulty concentrating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Serious Is Brain Tumor Removal?

Brain tumor removal is considered a major and very serious surgical procedure. Obviously, it involves operating on one of the most complex and sensitive organs in the body.

The good news is that modern neurosurgery is highly advanced, and it's much safer than in the past. However, it still comes with risks, such as:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Seizures
• Changes in speech, movement, memory, or personality

Also, the seriousness of the surgery depends on the tumor's size, type, and location, as well as the patient's overall health.

What Is the Easiest Brain Tumor To Remove?

The easiest brain tumors to remove are those that are benign, well-defined, and located in accessible areas of the brain. One common example is meningiomas, which we've said are often slow-growing and have clear boundaries, so it's much easier for surgeons to separate them from healthy tissue.

Tumors that are located near the surface of the brain or in non-critical areas are also typically more straightforward to operate on.

What Is the Deadliest Type of Brain Tumor?

The deadliest type of brain tumor is generally glioblastoma (glioblastoma multiforme), which is an aggressive and fast-growing malignant tumor. It arises from glial cells in the brain, and they're particularly dangerous since they grow so quickly and are difficult to remove completely. For many patients, even a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy isn't enough to keep the tumor away.

Unfortunately, glioblastoma has a relatively low long-term survival rate compared to other brain tumors.

Know the Common Types of Brain Tumors

Because there are over 100 types of brain tumors, it's almost impossible to learn them all. But by educating yourself on the most common types, their symptoms, and treatment options, you already have a great start to brain tumor awareness.

While only a small part of the population may develop brain tumors in their lifetimes, it's still handy to know about them. That way, you can help educate others and help them catch these tumors early on.

If you'd like to help bring awareness to brain tumors, then volunteer with us now. Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit organization that strives to help both brain tumor patients and caregivers so they have an easier journey.