Central nervous system tumors

The central nervous system comprises the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and spinal cord. There are a large number of benign and malignant tumors in various lesions. Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are generally very rare diseases. Approximately six people per 100,000 are affected each year. The diseases occur with a small peak in young children and then again from the age of 65. It is not yet clear which precursor cells are responsible for the development of the tumors. The tumors are usually named after their place of origin or the most similar healthy cell population, e.g., gliomas, meningiomas, or neurinomas.