Brain tumors: Nationally recognized advanced care

A glioma is a tumor that grows from glial cells in the brain or spinal cord. Glial cells support and protect neurons. Gliomas are categorized broadly into three types that are named according to the type of glial cell affected: ependymomas, astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas.

A meningioma is a tumor that grows from the meninges, or a membrane that covers the brain. Meningiomas are typically noncancerous and slow-growing.

The pituitary is a pea-sized gland inside your brain that controls hormone activity. A pituitary adenoma is a tumor that grows from the pituitary gland. Pituitary adenomas are typically noncancerous and slow-growing.

A metastatic brain tumor is a tumor that starts in another part of your body then travels to your brain.

A chordoma is a bone cancer that grows from the spine or bottom of the skull. These tumors are rare and usually slow-growing.

A choroid plexus tumor arises from the choroid plexus in the brain. The choroid plexus is a group of cells that generate cerebrospinal fluid for the brain and spinal cord. There are two types of these tumors. Choroid plexus papilloma is more common. Choroid plexus carcinomas are rare.

A central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma grows from lymph tissue in the brain or spinal cord. CNS lymphomas can originate in the brain or travel to the brain or spinal cord from somewhere else in the body. CNS lymphomas often recur.

A craniopharyngioma grows near the pituitary gland in the brain. They are generally noncancerous, slow-growing and rare.

These noncancerous tumors form as an embryo is developing. They are cells that are meant to become skin, hair or nail tissue that become trapped in the developing brain or spinal cord. Dermoid tumors contain hair or sebaceous glands. Epidermoid tumors do not. If these tumors spill their contents into the brain, they cause a form of meningitis.

An ependymoma is a glioma that grows from ependymal cells in the brain and spinal cord. Ependymal cells line the areas that carry cerebrospinal fluid throughout the brain and spinal cord. Ependymomas are rare and usually slow-growing.

An esthesioneuroblastoma (also called an olfactory neuroblastoma) grows from within the nose and the front of the brain. Some of these tumors grow slowly, others grow fast. Esthesioneuroblastoma are rare.

Fibrous dysplasia occurs when fibrous or scarred tissue replaces healthy bone. Fibrous dysplasia weakens bone, which causes fractures or malformation. Fibrous dysplasia is usually noncancerous.

A germinoma grows from cells that can produce sperm or eggs during fetal development. These rare tumors often are diagnosed in patients under 20 years old.

This tumor is the most aggressive form of glioma. It is also called a grade IV astrocytoma. Glioblastoma forms in brain tissue. This type of tumor occurs most often in older adults. It is more common in men than in women.

A hemangiopericytoma grows from cells that line small blood vessels. In the brain, hemangiopericytomas grow from the membrane that covers the brain. These tumors are typically aggressive.

A medulloblastoma grows from fetal cells present in the base of the brain. These tumors occur most often in children. Medulloblastomas are cancerous and fast-growing.

A nongerminoma grows from cells that produce sperm or eggs. Nongerminomas occur in the brain and spinal cord. They are usually cancerous and fast-growing.

A pineoblastoma grows from the pineal gland in the brain. The pineal gland is responsible for producing and releasing hormones such as melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. Pineoblastomas are rare, aggressive and fast-growing.

Rathke’s cleft cyst is a sac-like pocket of fluid that forms between the anterior and posterior pituitary glands in the brain. Rathke’s cleft cysts are noncancerous and slow-growing.

A vestibular schwannoma (also called an acoustic neuroma) grows in the inner ear on balance and hearing nerves. Vestibular schwannoma tumors are typically noncancerous and slow-growing.

For Purdue engineering professor Dan Ferguson, three things led to a promising outlook for his brain tumor — surgery, the Optune device and ongoing treatment at UW Health. Read Dan’s story

Jordan Dorf came from Denver to UW Health for pituitary tumor removal. A friend from high school helped him make the long-distance connection. Read Jordan’s story.

Six-year-old Bentley Thatcher’s parents noticed a tremor in his hand. An MRI showed a tumor the size of a softball in Bentley’s thalamus. Doctors in Michigan referred Bentley to UW Health. Read Bentley’s story.

A bad headache during a fishing trip led to Phoebe Yancy’s brain tumor diagnosis at age 11. After nine months of treatment, Phoebe’s scans are looking great. Read Phoebe’s story.

Shortly after her 19th birthday, Josie Gotz noticed weakness in her hand. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. A second opinion from UW Health led to treatment. Read Josie’s story.

At age 43, Gary Pedretti was living with what he thought was an inoperable brain tumor. A chance encounter led Gary to UW Health. His tumor was completely removed. Read Gary’s story.