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A choroid plexus tumour grows inside the fluid spaces of the brain. Most are a benign papilloma that surgery can often cure. CION explains the type, the plan, and every option — calmly and honestly.
A choroid plexus tumour is a rare growth that starts in the choroid plexus — the delicate tissue inside the brain's fluid-filled spaces (the ventricles) that makes cerebrospinal fluid. Because it sits within these spaces, it often disturbs the normal flow of fluid, which can raise pressure inside the head.
There are three types, and the difference matters enormously. Most are a choroid plexus papilloma — a benign, slow-growing tumour that surgery can often cure. A small number are a choroid plexus carcinoma, which is malignant (a genuine brain cancer) and seen mainly in young children. In between is the atypical choroid plexus papilloma. This page explains the symptoms, how an MRI and pathology confirm the type, and how treatment is planned — written and reviewed by the CION neuro-oncology team. For context on benign versus malignant tumours, see our wider brain tumour overview.
The choroid plexus is the tissue that produces your cerebrospinal fluid — the cushion of fluid around the brain and spinal cord. A choroid plexus tumour can make too much of this fluid, or block its flow, which is why raised pressure (hydrocephalus) is often the first problem it causes. In the WHO classification of central nervous system tumours, these are graded 1 to 3: papilloma (grade 1, benign), atypical papilloma (grade 2), and carcinoma (grade 3, malignant).
The type is confirmed only after the tumour tissue is examined under a microscope. It is the single most important factor in the plan and the outlook.
The most common type and benign. It grows slowly and does not spread. Complete surgical removal is often curative on its own, and many people need no further treatment beyond monitoring. This is the reassuring end of the spectrum.
An in-between grade. It behaves more actively than a plain papilloma and has a somewhat higher chance of coming back, so it is watched more closely after surgery. The pathology report distinguishes it from grade 1.
Malignant — a genuine brain cancer. It grows faster, can seed through the fluid pathways of the brain and spine, and is seen mainly in babies and young children. It usually needs more than surgery, and care is planned by a multidisciplinary team.
Because these tumours sit inside the ventricles and can raise pressure in the head (hydrocephalus), most symptoms come from that pressure rather than the tumour itself. The signs depend a lot on age:
These symptoms are far more often caused by everyday illnesses — a virus, migraine, or ear problem — and a tumour is a rare cause. But when symptoms are new, persistent, and progressive, and especially when there are signs of raised pressure, a brain scan is the right next step. A rapidly growing head in a baby should always be checked promptly. Talk to a CION specialist if this sounds like you or your child.
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Whether the report says papilloma or carcinoma, and whether it is for an adult or a child, our team will talk you through what it means and what comes next — calmly and without pressure.
Diagnosis has two parts: imaging that finds and maps the tumour, and pathology that confirms the exact type after surgery.
The key test is an MRI scan with gadolinium contrast. It shows the tumour inside the ventricles, its size and rich blood supply, and whether fluid flow is blocked (hydrocephalus). When a carcinoma is suspected, an MRI of the whole spine is often added, because these tumours can seed along the fluid pathways. A CT scan may be used first in an emergency. Learn more about MRI for brain tumours and what the scan shows.
The scan can strongly suggest a choroid plexus tumour, but the definitive answer comes from examining the tumour tissue under a microscope after it is removed. Pathology assigns the WHO grade — papilloma, atypical papilloma, or carcinoma — which decides whether any treatment beyond surgery is needed. At CION, imaging and pathology are reviewed by specialists so the grade drives the plan.
Managing raised pressure is often urgent, so relieving hydrocephalus can happen alongside diagnosis. Read more about hydrocephalus and shunts in brain tumours.
The plan is built around the exact type and the patient's age. NCCN and WHO guidance frame surgery as the foundation, with further treatment added for higher-grade tumours.
Removing the tumour is the foundation of care. For a benign papilloma, complete removal is often curative. At CION, the operation is coordinated with accredited neurosurgical partners, who perform the surgery while our team manages imaging, pathology, and the overall plan.
Because these tumours disturb fluid flow, relieving raised pressure is often part of care — sometimes with a shunt to drain excess fluid. This too is coordinated with neurosurgical partners. See our page on hydrocephalus and shunts.
For a carcinoma, surgery is usually followed by systemic (chemotherapy) treatment and, in selected older children and adults, radiation therapy — which CION delivers directly (IMRT/IGRT). Very young children are treated with age-appropriate approaches to protect the developing brain.
These tumours make up a larger share of brain tumours in babies and very young children than in adults, and choroid plexus carcinomas are seen almost entirely in young children. When a child is affected, care is managed under CION's pediatric cancer service, led by specialists trained to treat children — protecting the developing brain while treating the tumour effectively.
Papillomas can also occur in adults, where surgery alone is often enough. Whatever the age, the priorities are the same: relieve the pressure, remove the tumour safely, and confirm the exact type so the plan is right. Rarely, a carcinoma is linked to an inherited condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and your team may discuss genetic counselling where relevant.
For a benign choroid plexus papilloma, surgery alone is often the whole treatment. Because the tumour does not invade normal brain and does not spread, complete removal is frequently curative — with monitoring rather than chemotherapy or radiation afterwards. This is why confirming the WHO grade on pathology, as recommended in the WHO CNS tumour classification, matters so much: it separates the tumours that need only surgery from the rare carcinomas that need more.
A choroid plexus tumour is uncommon, so a specialist review of the imaging and pathology can be genuinely reassuring. A second opinion is especially worthwhile if:
At CION, your case goes to a multidisciplinary tumour board, and we offer a free written second opinion after a 45-minute consultation. We walk this journey with you. Book your free consultation or call 18002028726.
Get a free written second opinion from CION's tumour board — particularly valuable to confirm the tumour grade, and before agreeing to any treatment beyond surgery for a benign papilloma.
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Start Your Story. Book Free Consultation.It depends on the type. Most choroid plexus tumours are a choroid plexus papilloma — a benign (non-cancerous), slow-growing tumour that does not spread. A small number are a choroid plexus carcinoma, which is malignant (a genuine brain cancer) and mainly seen in young children. There is also an in-between grade called atypical choroid plexus papilloma. The exact type is confirmed only after the tumour tissue is examined under a microscope. Knowing which grade you or your child has is the single most important factor in the treatment plan, so it is established early and carefully.
They sit at opposite ends of the same family. A choroid plexus papilloma (WHO grade 1) is benign, grows slowly, and is often curable with surgery alone. A choroid plexus carcinoma (WHO grade 3) is malignant, grows faster, can spread through the fluid spaces of the brain, and usually needs more than surgery. Between them is the atypical choroid plexus papilloma (WHO grade 2). Carcinomas are far less common and are mostly diagnosed in babies and young children. The pathology report — not the scan alone — decides which one it is.
These tumours sit inside the fluid-filled spaces of the brain (the ventricles) and often make too much cerebrospinal fluid, or block its flow. This raises pressure inside the head (hydrocephalus). Common signs include headache, nausea or vomiting, and drowsiness. In babies, the head may enlarge quickly, the soft spot may bulge, and feeding may be poor. Older children and adults may have vision changes or balance problems. These symptoms are usually caused by everyday illnesses — a tumour is a rare cause — but new, persistent, or progressive symptoms with signs of raised pressure should be assessed with a brain scan.
The main treatment is surgical removal of the tumour, which for a benign papilloma is often curative on its own. Surgery is performed by accredited neurosurgical partners, coordinated by the CION team. Managing raised pressure (hydrocephalus) — sometimes with a shunt — is often needed too. For a carcinoma, surgery is usually followed by systemic (chemotherapy) treatment and, in selected older children and adults, radiation therapy, which CION delivers directly. Every case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumour board so the plan fits the exact tumour type and the patient's age.
CION delivers the oncology-led parts of care directly — MRI diagnosis and characterisation, molecular and pathology review, radiation therapy (IMRT/IGRT), systemic therapy, steroid and seizure management, and supportive care. The neurosurgery itself — removing the tumour and, when needed, placing a shunt for hydrocephalus — is coordinated with our accredited neurosurgical partners, who perform the operation while our team holds the imaging, pathology, and overall plan together. You get one coordinated pathway rather than being sent between disconnected providers.
Yes. Choroid plexus tumours are uncommon overall, but they make up a larger share of brain tumours in babies and very young children than in adults. Choroid plexus carcinomas in particular are seen almost entirely in young children. When a child is affected, care is managed under CION's pediatric cancer service, with paediatric-trained specialists. Papillomas can also occur in adults. Whatever the age, the priorities are the same: relieve the pressure, remove the tumour safely, and confirm the exact type so the plan is right.
For a choroid plexus papilloma (the common, benign type), the outlook is generally very good — complete surgical removal is often curative, and many people need no further treatment beyond monitoring. Atypical papillomas have a somewhat higher chance of coming back and are watched more closely. Choroid plexus carcinomas are more serious and outcomes vary widely with age, how completely the tumour is removed, and the response to further treatment. Outlook figures are published as broad ranges by sources such as the WHO CNS classification and paediatric study groups — your team will explain what applies to your specific tumour, sensitively and honestly.
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