Brain Tumor Types
According to the American Brain Tumor Association, more than 120 types of tumors can develop in the brain or spinal cord, and these are referred to as "primary" brain or spinal cord tumors. Some are cancerous; others are called benign tumors but even those can pose threats to normal functioning or even be life-threatening. Many types of brain and spinal cord tumors are extremely rare, others more common. The majority of primary brain tumors fall into one of the following classifications:
- Glioblastomas
- Astrocytomas
- Oligoastrocytomas / Mixed gliomas
- Oligodendrogliomas
- Ependymomas
- Meningiomas
- Medulloblastomas
- Pituitary tumors
- Schwannomas
- Chordomas
Sometimes, other types of cancer can metastasize (spread) to the brain or spine. When this happens, the tumor in the brain or spine is still considered to be the original type of cancer (e.g., lung cancer or breast cancer), but it is referred to as "metastatic brain/spine tumor" (or brain/spine metastasis.)
At Moffitt Cancer Center, patients can seek treatment for any type of brain or spinal tumor. We treat primary brain cancers – including rare tumor types – as well as secondary brain metastases. Whereas other oncologists may only treat a few patients with brain cancer throughout their entire careers, the specialized team of medical and neurosurgical oncologists in Moffitt’s Neuro-Oncology Program is dedicated solely to the treatment of tumors in the brain and central nervous system.
Not only does Moffitt have a team of highly experienced neuro-oncologists and brain and spinal tumor specialists, but we also offer an assortment of advanced treatments in one convenient location. We understand that each of the brain tumor types responds differently to treatment, so we are equipped to provide a complete range of prospective therapies, including neurosurgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, genetic therapies, biological therapies and clinical trials. Our multispecialty team will create a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient, taking into consideration the patient’s brain cancer type and grade, overall health and individual needs.
For more information about brain tumor and spinal tumor types and how they are treated at Moffitt Cancer Center, contact our team at 1-888-663-3488. No referral is required; you can set up an appointment online through our new patient registration form.