Central Nervous System Neoplasm
Central nervous system tumors are abnormal growths that develop in the brain or spinal cord, affecting how your body functions. These tumors can be either cancerous or noncancerous, but both types may cause serious symptoms if they grow large enough to press on surrounding tissues.
Table of contents
- What is a Central Nervous System Neoplasm?
- Types of Central Nervous System Tumors
- Understanding the Central Nervous System
- Causes and Risk Factors
- Signs and Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Factors Affecting Recovery
What is a Central Nervous System Neoplasm?
A central nervous system neoplasm is a disease in which abnormal cells form in the tissues of the brain or spinal cord. Together, the brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (often called CNS), which is responsible for sending, receiving, and processing information throughout your body and controlling how your body functions.[1][2]
These tumors are formed by the abnormal growth of cells and may begin in different parts of the brain or spinal cord. The tumors may be either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).[1]
Benign brain and spinal cord tumors grow and press on nearby areas of the brain. They rarely spread into other tissues and may come back after treatment. Malignant brain and spinal cord tumors are likely to grow quickly and spread into other brain tissue. When a tumor grows into or presses on an area of the brain, it may stop that part of the brain from working the way it should. Both benign and malignant brain tumors cause signs and symptoms and need treatment.[1]
Tumors that develop in your brain or spinal cord are called primary tumors. Tumors that start in another part of the body and spread to the brain are called metastatic brain tumors or secondary tumors. Metastatic brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors. Up to half of metastatic brain tumors come from lung cancer.[1][4]
Types of Central Nervous System Tumors
There are many different types of brain and spinal cord tumors. Researchers have identified more than 150 different brain tumors.[6]
Healthcare providers group primary tumors based on where they develop and whether they are cancerous or noncancerous. Brain tumors account for 85% to 90% of all primary central nervous system tumors.[8]
Primary brain tumors include the following in decreasing order of frequency:[8]
- Anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas (38% of primary brain tumors)
- Meningiomas and other related tumors (27% of primary brain tumors)
- Pituitary tumors
- Schwannomas
- CNS lymphomas
- Oligodendrogliomas
- Ependymomas
- Low-grade astrocytomas
- Medulloblastomas
Primary spinal tumors are less common and include schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas (79% of primary spinal tumors), as well as sarcomas, astrocytomas, vascular tumors, and chordomas.[8]
Primary brain tumors rarely spread to other areas of the body, but they can spread to other parts of the brain and to the spinal axis.[8]
Understanding the Central Nervous System
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain controls many important body functions. The brain has three major parts: the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is located at the top of the head. The spinal cord connects the brain to nerves in most parts of the body.[1]
This system is responsible for controlling how your body functions. When tumors grow in the central nervous system, they can cause significant symptoms. Even benign tumors can cause issues if they grow and put pressure on other parts of the brain or spine.[2]
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of most adult brain and spinal cord tumors is not known. In most cases, there is no known cause.[1][2]
Researchers believe that something is absent in the brain or spinal cord cells during normal development. Few definitive observations have been made about environmental or occupational causes of primary CNS tumors.[2][8]
However, some potential risk factors have been identified. Exposure to vinyl chloride may be a risk factor for glioma, a type of brain tumor. Epstein-Barr virus infection has been linked to primary CNS lymphoma. Transplant recipients and patients with AIDS have a substantially increased risk of primary CNS lymphoma.[8]
Having certain genetic syndromes may increase the risk of a CNS tumor. Researchers have found that some genetic conditions that are passed down to offspring can give a person a higher risk of developing CNS tumors.[1][2]
The following familial tumor syndromes and related chromosomal abnormalities are associated with CNS tumors:[8]
- Neurofibromatosis type 1
- Neurofibromatosis type 2
- von Hippel-Lindau disease
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Turcot syndrome type 1 and type 2
- Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of adult brain and spinal cord tumors are not the same in every person. Symptoms depend on where a tumor is located and how large it is.[1][7]
General signs and symptoms include headaches, seizures, and visual changes.[8] Other common symptoms can include:[1][7]
- Morning headache or headache that goes away after vomiting
- Frequent nausea and vomiting
- Vision, hearing, and speech problems
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in personality, mood, ability to focus, or behavior
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Weakness in part of the body
Some brain tumors are found when they are very small because they cause symptoms that you notice right away. Other brain tumors grow very large before they are found. Some parts of the brain are less active than others. If a brain tumor starts in a part of the brain that is less active, it might not cause symptoms right away. The brain tumor could become quite large before the tumor is found.[4]
Diagnosis
Tests that examine the brain and spinal cord are used to diagnose adult brain and spinal cord tumors.[1]
If your healthcare professional thinks you might have a brain tumor, you will need a number of tests and procedures to get a diagnosis. A neurological exam tests different parts of your brain to see how they are working. This exam may include checking your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes. If you have trouble in one or more areas, this is a clue for your healthcare professional about what part of your brain might be causing your symptoms.[1][16]
A head CT scan uses X-rays to make pictures. It is widely available, and results come back quickly. A CT scan can detect problems in and around your brain. The results give your healthcare professional clues to decide what test to do next.[16]
Brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses strong magnets to create pictures of the inside of the body. MRI is often used to detect brain tumors because it shows the brain more clearly than other imaging tests. Often a dye is injected into a vein in the arm before an MRI. The dye makes certain details more clear and makes it easier to see smaller tumors. It can help your healthcare team see the difference between a brain tumor and healthy brain tissue.[16]
A biopsy is also used to diagnose a brain tumor. Sometimes a biopsy or surgery cannot be done.[1]
Factors Affecting Recovery
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options. The outlook for patients with central nervous system tumors depends on many factors, including the type of tumor, its location, size, and whether it has spread.[1]
Data from 2017 to 2021 indicated that the combined incidence of brain and other CNS tumors in the United States was 6.2 cases per 100,000 people per year. The mortality rate was 4.4 deaths per 100,000 people per year based on data from 2018 to 2022.[8]
Estimated new cases and deaths from brain tumors and other nervous system tumors in the United States in 2025 include 24,820 new cases and 18,330 deaths.[8]
In general, the incidence of primary CNS tumors is higher in White individuals than in Black individuals, and mortality is higher in men than in women.[8]
CNS tumors are the second most common childhood tumor type, with around 4,000 new cases diagnosed each year in children.[2]
