Primary brain tumors originate in one (or more) cell types in the brain or spinal cord. Some of the most common include gliomas (such as astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas) and meningiomas. In 2025, there were 24,820 estimated new cases of cancer of the brain and nervous system and 18,330 deaths. Five-year survival rates by stage at diagnosis are 35.3% for localized tumors, 20.5% for regional tumors, and 29.3% for distant tumors.
The Brain Cancer Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) program was initiated in 2002. Current advances have been made in the treatment of brain tumors and are part of ongoing studies in the Brain Cancer SPORE program, including improved prognostic testing, tumor vaccines, and other immunotherapeutic approaches.