World Brain Tumour Day 2025: Know History, Different Types of Brain Tumour, Subtypes, and More

World Brain Tumour Day 2025: Every year on June 8th, the globe commemorates World Brain Tumour Day, an important day dedicated to raising global awareness of brain tumours, assisting sufferers and their families, and advancing critical research. This day serves as a reminder of the obstacles encountered by these complicated disorders, as well as the everlasting hope that continuing progress provides.

World Brain Tumour Day History

The German Brain Tumour Association established World Brain Tumour Day in 2000. This non-profit organisation was founded on the day as a national effort to highlight the challenges experienced by people with brain tumours and to recognise the dedicated work of researchers and healthcare workers. Over time, this project gained worldwide traction, transforming into a global movement with the help of organisations such as the worldwide Brain Tumour Alliance. Today, it is a globally recognised day that promotes understanding and compassion for brain tumour patients around the world.

World Brain Tumour Day Significance

• Brain tumours, while relatively uncommon, can have fatal consequences. The day is intended to educate the public on the various forms of brain tumours, their potential symptoms, and the need for early detection. Increased awareness can lead to faster diagnoses and possibly better outcomes.

• Living with a brain tumour is a difficult journey for not just the sufferer, but also their carers and family members. World Brain Tumour Day is an opportunity to share stories, develop a sense of community, and ensure that individuals impacted feel heard and supported.

• One of the primary goals of this day is to highlight the continuous need for research into more effective therapies, diagnostic tools, and, eventually, a cure for brain tumours. It organises efforts to gain funds and resources for scientific research.

• By teaching people about common symptoms, the day promotes prompt medical attention. Early diagnosis is frequently required for a better prognosis and a broader choice of therapy options.

• World Brain Tumour Day is a call to action for governments and healthcare systems to prioritise brain tumour care, ensuring that all people have access to and can afford treatment, rehabilitation, and support services.

Types of Brain Tumours

Brain tumours are abnormal cell growths that occur within the brain. They can be broadly divided into two primary categories:

Primary Brain Tumours

These tumours develop in the brain itself. They can be either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Benign Brain Tumours

While not malignant, they can nonetheless be dangerous depending on their size and placement, as they can impinge on critical brain regions. They typically grow slowly and rarely spread. Examples include:

• Meningiomas: This frequent kind of primary brain tumour originates in the meninges. Most are harmless.

• Pituitary Adenomas: Tumours that develop in the pituitary gland and often alter hormone levels. Typically benign.

• Schwannomas (Acoustic Neuromas): Grow on the nerves that control hearing and balance, frequently resulting in hearing loss.  Typically benign.

• Craniopharyngiomas: Benign tumours that form around the pituitary gland are more common in children and elderly adults.

Malignant Brain Tumours

These are cancerous tumours that spread rapidly and can infiltrate nearby brain tissue.  They are frequently classified according to the type of brain cell they come from.  Examples include:

Gliomas

The most frequent type of malignant primary brain tumour, originating in glial cells (brain support cells). Subtypes include:

• Glioblastoma (GBM): The most aggressive and prevalent kind of malignant glioma, renowned for its rapid progression.

• Astrocytoma: They can be slow-growing or aggressive, and they develop in star-shaped astrocytes.

• Oligodendroglioma: They develop from oligodendrocytes, which are myelin-producing cells.

• Ependymoma: They develop from ependymal cells that line the fluid-filled gaps (ventricles) in the brain.

Medulloblastomas

Children are more likely to have fast-growing, malignant tumours that originate in the cerebellum.

Embryonal Tumours

Formed from embryonic cells that persist in the brain after birth, they primarily harm infants and young children.

Secondary (Metastatic) Brain Tumours

These tumours are caused by cancer cells that have moved to the brain from other parts of the body (such as the lung, breast, melanoma, or colon). These are always malignant and outnumber primary brain tumours in adulthood.