Brain tumours

Types of brain tumours

There are over 100 different types of brain tumours. Tumours can start in any part of the brain or spinal cord. They are usually named after the type of cell they develop from.

Tumours that start in the brain are called primary brain tumours. Cancer that has spread to the brain from somewhere else in the body is called secondary brain cancer or brain metastases.

Read about the different types of primary brain tumours and how doctors diagnose them.

To find out more about your brain tumour type, you can look it up on our A to Z list below.

Filter indexed list

A

Astrocytoma

C

Craniopharyngioma

E

G

H

Haemangioblastoma

M

Meningioma

O

Oligodendroglioma

P

S

Spinal cord tumours

V

Vestibular Schwannoma

W

What are the different types of primary brain tumours?

Last reviewed: 17 Jul 2026

Next review due: 17 Jul 2029

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