Embryonal tumours

Embryonal tumours are brain tumours. They develop from cells that are left over from the early stages of our development. That is while we were still developing in our mother’s womb. These cells are called embryonic cells. Normally these cells are harmless. But sometimes they can become cancerous.

There are different types of embryonal brain tumours. The most common type is medulloblastoma which mainly affects children.

We have information about medulloblastoma in our children’s cancer section

Until recently, doctors talked about embryonal tumours as primitive neuro ectodermal tumours (PNETs). But doctors are now able to look at the tumour cells in more detail. So, they now describe them as embryonal tumours.  

Embryonal tumours can start anywhere in the brain or the spinal cord. They are likely to grow quickly and can spread through the cerebrospinal fluid to other parts of the brain and the spinal cord (high grade tumour).

Find out more about the grade of brain tumours

Types of embryonal tumours

There are different types of embryonal tumours. These include:

• medulloblastomas, which develop in the cerebellum

• embryonal tumour with multilayered rosettes (ETMRs), which usually start in the cerebrum

• atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours, which usually start in the cerebellum

• CNS neuroblastomas, fox 2 activated, which can develop in the nerve tissue of the cerebrum

• CNS tumours with BCOR internal tandem duplication, which can develop anywhere in the brain or spinal cord

• CNS embryonal tumours NEC/NOS - these are embryonal tumours that, for various reasons, can't be put into one of the other groups

Find out more about the different parts of the brain and the spinal cord

How common it is

Embryonal tumours are rare. Less than 1 out of every 100 brain tumours (less than 1%) diagnosed in England between 1995 and 2017 were embryonal tumours. They are more common in children than in adults.

What tests will I have?

You have tests to diagnose an embryonal tumour. Your doctor checks the size of the tumour and whether it has spread. This helps your doctor plan your treatment. The tests you might have include:

• MRI scan or CT scan

• a biopsy of the tumour

• a test to take a sample of fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord (lumbar puncture)

We have more information about the tests you might have to diagnose a brain tumour

Treatment

Your treatment depends on the type of embryonal tumour you have and whether it has spread to other parts of the brain. The main treatments for embryonal tumours are:

• surgery

• radiotherapy

• chemotherapy

We have specific information about treatment for medulloblastomas in our children’s section

Surgery

Surgery is usually the first treatment you have. A highly specialised doctor (neurosurgeon) removes as much of the tumour as possible. The exact type of surgery you have depends on where the tumour is.

But it isn’t always possible to completely remove the tumour during the operation. Especially if the tumour is growing around important nerves or blood vessels. You might have radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgery if this happens.

We have more information about surgery for brain tumours

Radiotherapy

You might have radiotherapy to the brain and sometimes the whole of the spinal cord. You usually have it after surgery. Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to destroy tumour cells. This reduces the risk of the embryonal tumour coming back.

Find out about radiotherapy for brain tumours

Chemotherapy

You might have chemotherapy after surgery or with radiotherapy. Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs to kill tumours cells. It helps to reduce the risk of the tumour coming back or spread to other parts of the brain.

Find out more about having chemotherapy for brain tumours

Follow up

You have regular appointments with your doctor or nurse after treatment finishes. Your doctor examines you at each appointment. They ask how you are feeling, whether you have had any symptoms or side effects, and if you are worried about anything.

You also have MRI scans on some visits. You usually have an MRI scan every 6 months.

Read more about follow up appointments after treatment for a brain tumour

Coping with an embryonal tumour

Coping with a diagnosis of a brain tumour can be difficult, both practically and emotionally. It can be especially difficult when you have a rare tumour. Being well informed about the type of tumour you have, and its treatment can make it easier to cope.  

Find out what you can do, who can help and how to cope with a brain tumour