Childhood brain tumour types
Brain tumours and other central nervous system (CNS) tumours form the second most common group of cancers in children. There are about 130 different types of tumours that can start in the brain or central nervous system (CNS). Often brain tumours are named after their originating cell type or the area of the brain they grow in.
Below you will find a summary of some of the more common types of brain tumours in children, alongside a brief description and examples of the types of treatments your child may be offered.
| Tumour type | What this means | Treatments your child may be offered |
|---|---|---|
| Glioma | Glioma covers a range of different brain tumours that develop from glial cells. Gliomas can be non malignant or malignant, depending on the individual type of glioma. | Radiotherapy Chemotherapy Neurosurgery |
| Astrocytoma | Astrocytomas are the most common type of brain tumour and spinal cord tumour in children and can develop at any age. They rise from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes and are a type of glioma. There are different types of astrocytomas and different grades. Astrocytomas in children are more commonly low grade. | Radiotherapy Chemotherapy Neurosurgery |
| Choroid Plexus Tumours | Choroid plexus tumours form in the ventricles near the centre of the brain, where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced. These tumours often block the cerebrospinal fluid from flowing and draining, therefore raising the pressure in the skull. These tumours are common in infants but can occur at any age. In infants, they are more likely to occur between birth and their first birthday. | Radiotherapy Chemotherapy Neurosurgery |
| Craniopharyngioma | Craniopharyngiomas grow around the bottom of the brain, just above the pituitary gland. These tumours are usually low grade or non-malignant (non-cancerous), and they do not tend to spread. | Neurosurgery Radiotherapy Hormone replacement therapy |
| Brain stem glioma including Diffuse midline glioma (DIPG) | Also referred to as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), this glioma grows in the part of the brainstem called the pons. The pons controls functions such as breathing, swallowing, heartbeat, and blood pressure. Due to the fast-growing nature of these tumours, children presenting symptoms deteriorate quickly as the tumour starts to compress the pons. | Radiotherapy |
| Embryonal tumour | Embryonal tumours form from cells left over from the early stages of the embryo forming in the womb. These cells are usually harmless. However, sometimes they can become cancerous if they remain after birth. These tumours forming from embryonic cells were previously referred to as primitive neuro-ectodermal tumours (PNETs). | Radiotherapy Chemotherapy Neurosurgery |
| Ependymoma | Ependymoma is a common brain tumour in children. These tumours arise in the ependymal cells. Ependymal cells make cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Ependymal cells belong to a larger group of cells called glial cells, so you sometimes may hear the tumour referred to as a glioma. Ependymomas can appear anywhere in the brain and down the spine. Ependymomas can be classified as non-malignant (benign) or malignant, depending on how aggressive the tumour is. | Neurosurgery |
| Germ cell brain tumour | Germ cell brain tumours develop from germ cells, which later become sperm in testicles or eggs in ovaries. Therefore, in most cases, germ cell tumours may form as ovarian tumours or testicular tumours. During the fetal period, some germ cells may remain in the brain, and these may then form into germ cell brain tumours (also referred to as intracranial germ cell tumours or CNS germ cell tumours). Germ cell tumours can also form in other parts of the body, such as the chest or abdomen. | Radiotherapy Chemotherapy |
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