Astrocytomas are the most common type of brain and spinal cord tumour in children. They are a type of brain tumour called a glioma. Over 4 out of 10 (over 40%) brain and spinal cord tumours in children are astrocytomas. They can develop anywhere in the brain.

Most astrocytomas in children are low grade. This means the tumour cells look similar to normal cells, the tumours grow fairly slowly and are less likely to spread. Less commonly the astrocytoma is high grade. These tumours tend to grow more quickly and are more likely to spread to other areas of the body. 

Choroid plexus carcinomas are a high grade (grade 3), fast growing tumour which can block the cerebro-spinal fluid from circulating and draining, causing pressure to build up in the skull.

These carcinomas occur most often in one year olds, where the signs of the raised pressure may be vomiting , an inability to look upwards and tiredness.

Craniopharyngioma – are rare and usually slow-growing, low grade (benign) tumours. They affect an area above the pituitary gland and near the cranial nerve from the eyes to the brain.

These tumours are associated with specific symptoms such as problems with vision and growth. 

Previously called DIPGs, are the second most common type of primary high grade brain tumour in children. They are grade 4 brain tumours that are fast growing, likely to spread, difficult to remove surgically because they are diffuse, which means they don’t have well-defined borders. 

These tumours develop in a part of the brainstem called the pons, controlling vital bodily functions, e.g.  breathing, swallowing, heartbeat and blood pressure. Nerves controlling limbs, balance and eye movement are also in the brain stem meaning that surgery is not usually possible for DIPG tumours. 

These are very rare affecting around 30 children a year in the U.K.  Children diagnosed are usually around the age of 5 years old. Ependymomas and are the third most common type of childhood brain tumour. 

Sometimes simply referred to as Glioma, Ependymomas  are usually found in posterior fossa and are slow growing and less likely to spread. 

Germ cell tumours are fast growing, ‘malignant’ tumours. They grow from cells that are involved in our growth when we are developing in the womb. Germ cells form part of the embryo and develop into the reproductive system.

Most germ cell tumours occur outside the brain, but those that do grow in the brain are most often in the area close to the pituitary gland and the pineal gland at the base of the brain. These are called ‘intracranial germ cell tumours’. They are also called embryonal tumours.

Glioma. – Over half of all brain tumours are gliomas. They develop from glial cells,  the supporting cells in the brain or spinal cord

Haemangioblastoma – usually affecting the cerebellum and sometimes the brain stem they are rare and slow-growing.

One of the most common brain tumours in children aged between 3 and 8 years old.  It is a high-grade tumour that develops in the cerebellum area of the posterior fossa, controlling coordination and balance.

Meningioma – Nearly 25% of all brain tumours are meningiomas.  They are usually low-grade, slow-growing tumours that start in the tissues that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Pineoblastomas -these are high grade (grade 4), tumours that are fast growing in the pineal region of the brain. They develop from cells and are commonly found above the pituitary gland and close to the hypothalamus.   It originates from embryonal cells which were left behind from the time the person was a developing fetus. Normal Healthy embryonal cells go on to help in the growth of body parts such as the pineal gland and retina. Pineoblastomas are caused by these cells dividing incorrectly causing an abnormal growth or tumour

Primary central nervous system lymphoma – Lymphomas  (a cancer of the Lymphatic system) that starts in the brain or spinal cord, they are rare and usually grow quickly.