Adult brain tumour types
There are over 130 types of brain tumour, as classified by the World Health Organisation. Learn more about some of the most common types of adult brain tumours including glioblastoma, astrocytoma and pituitary adenoma.
Brain tumours can differ in terms of the cells they originate from, how quickly they are likely to grow and spread, and the part of the brain they affect. Knowing your tumour’s type can therefore help you understand your condition.
As a general rule, brain tumours are named according to the type of cell they start from and/or where in the brain they are located. Information about the most common brain tumour types is below.
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Glioblastoma
Information about glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary brain tumour in adults.
Astrocytoma
Learn about astrocytomas, the most common brain tumour in the group of tumours called gliomas.
Pituitary adenoma
Pituitary adenonas tumours develop from the tissue of the pituitary gland.
Acoustic neuroma
Get facts about acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma), a low grade brain tumour.
Meningioma
Meningioma begin in the membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Oligodendroglioma
Oligodendrogliomas are the 3rd most common glioma, and are more common in adults.
Haemangioblastoma
Discover more about this tumour type, which grows from blood vessel cells.
CNS lymphoma
Find out about CNS lymphoma, caused by the uncontrolled growth of the lymph cells.
Unspecified glioma
Tumours with unknown cells, or they contain more than one type of cell.