Brain tumors can be cancerous or benign. Benign tumors do not spread to other body parts, but they can cause serious problems if they press on healthy brain tissue. Some can become cancerous.
Brain tumors are lumps of abnormal cells that develop in or around your brain. They can be either benign or malignant.
- Benign brain tumors are noncancerous, meaning they don’t have the potential to spread to distant body parts.
- Cancerous tumors, also called malignant tumors, tend to grow faster and can spread to other locations.
Researchers have identified dozens of different types of benign brain tumors. Here, we examine the most common types of benign brain tumors that can develop in adults and children.
More than
Roughly 1 in 6,800 people in the United States are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year.
| Tumor | Approximate cases per year in general population |
|---|---|
| meningioma | |
| pituitary adenoma | |
| schwannoma | |
| craniopharyngioma | |
| hemangioblastoma | |
| chordoma | |
| gangliocytoma | 0.1–0.5% of brain tumors (1 in 1.4–6.8 million) |
| glomus jugulare | |
| pineocytoma | Less than |
| ependymoma | |
| pituicytoma | Unknown, fewer than 100 cases reported |
| intracranial germ cell tumor | |
| chondroma | |
| choroid plexus tumors | |
| dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor |
Mengiomas make up about 10–15% of all brain tumors and are the most common type of benign brain tumor. They originate from the layer of tissue that surrounds your brain and spinal cord called the meninges, usually in middle-aged or older adults.
Symptoms can include changes to your vision or headaches. The cause is usually unknown, but they’ve been linked to
Pituitary adenoma is the
- hormonal problems
- headaches
- visual impairment in about
half of people on average
Pituitary adenomas are generally highly treatable and often don’t affect lifespan.
Schwannomas are often benign tumors that develop in the cells that protect and support nerve cells. The
Vestibular schwannoma can lead to signs like hearing loss or other hearing changes. They most often develop between ages 30 and 60 years, usually with no obvious cause.
The outlook for people living with these tumors tends to be
Many times, these tumors never cause symptoms.
Craniopharyngiomas are usually benign and develop in your pituitary gland. For most people, receiving hormone replacement therapy after surgery or radiation is included in their treatment plan.
Craniopharyngiomas are most common in children ages
The outlook when living with craniopharyngiomas tends to be
Hemangioblastomas start in the cells that line the blood vessels in your brain or spinal cord. They tend to grow slowly but can cause symptoms like fluid buildup in your brain and problems with:
- walking
- balance
- speech
- coordination
The cause usually isn’t known, but some people have a genetic syndrome called Von Hippel-Lindau disease. People living with these tumors often have an excellent outlook when surgery is the primary treatment.
Chordomas tend to grow slowly without a known cause and usually develop in people in their 40s–60s in the bone at the
Gangliocytomas frequently cause epilepsy in children and are often surgically treatable. They grow in mature nerve cells and tend to grow slowly.
Gangliocytomas most commonly occur in the temporal lobe. Some people develop psychiatric symptoms or memory problems.
Glomus jugulares are usually benign and located in a part of the skull called the jugular foramen. About
They typically cause changes to your hearing but can lead to facial weakness or paralysis if they grow large. Small tumors can often successfully be removed without damage to healthy brain tissue.
Pineocytomas are usually benign and arise from the pineal gland, usually in adults. They tend to be slow growing and may cause poor sleep or problems with melatonin production. As many as 90% of people also have fluid build-up in their brain, which can cause headaches and other symptoms.
Ependymomas can be benign or cancerous. They develop in the lining of the cavities of your brain,
Adults have a
- fatigue
- sleep problems
- numbness and tingling
Pituicytomas are extremely rare and slow-growing benign tumors that develop on your pituitary gland. They are usually removed with surgery. Symptoms can include fluid buildup in your brain or visual changes.
Germ cell tumors can be benign or cancerous. They primarily develop in children or adolescents. They develop in misplaced germ cells that develop into reproductive cells. They can cause many different symptoms, including:
- headaches
- mood changes
- fatigue
Chondromas are benign tumors that develop in cartilage. They occur mostly in the hands or feet but can also develop inside the skull. They tend to cause symptoms
Choroid plexus tumors are benign and most common in young adults. They develop in cells that create cerebrospinal fluid and usually develop inside the cavities in your brain called ventricles. They can
- seizures
- headaches
- irritability
- visual changes
DNETs tend to
- Glioma:
Gliomas are the most common brain and spinal cord tumors. Most cases are cancerous. - Osteoma: Osteomas are tumors made of bone. They can cause headaches or sinus infections. They may not require treatment.
- Giant cell tumor: Giant cell tumors usually develop on the ends of long bones. When they develop in the skull, they usually develop on the sphenoid or temporal bones.
- Neurofibroma: Neurofibromas normally develop on nerve cells. About
half of diagnoses are associated with the genetic syndrome neurofibromatosis type 1.
Although many brain tumors don’t cause obvious symptoms, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor if you develop concerning symptoms, such as:
- seizures
- worsening headache
- changes to your vision
If you’ve previously been diagnosed with a brain tumor, it’s essential to attend all your follow-ups and regularly communicate with your medical team.
Tests and processes that doctors use to diagnose brain tumors include:
- reviewing your personal and family medical history
- performing a physical exam
- scheduling a neurological examination
- ordering an electroencephalography (EEG)
- ordering imaging tests like computer tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- scheduling a biopsy of your brain tissue
Surgery is the most common treatment option for benign brain tumors. Other options include:
The survival rate for people living with benign brain tumors varies significantly between types. Some types rarely cause symptoms.
Some benign brain tumors don’t cause problems and may not require treatment, while others come with a high mortality risk within a few years if they become cancerous. A doctor can give you the best idea of what to expect based on the specific type and features of your tumor.
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about benign brain tumors.
What is the least serious brain tumor?
Slightly more than
How long can you live with a benign brain tumor?
Some types of benign brain tumors grow very slowly and might never cause any problems.
What is the most common benign brain tumor?
Meningiomas are the most common benign brain tumors. They develop in your meninges, or the layers of tissues that cover your brain and spinal cord.
Your doctor can best advise you whether your tumor needs treatment. Surgery is the most common treatment, but chemotherapy or radiation therapy are also commonly used.