The most frequent primary brain tumours in adults are gliomas and primary CNS lymphomas. In gliomas, molecular genetic analysis plays an increasing part in classification and treatment planning, a feature well illustrated by the chemosensitive oligodendrogliomas. Unfortunately, management of glioblastoma is still mainly palliative. Incidence of primary CNS lymphoma has increased strikingly in the past 20 years; substantial progress has been achieved in patients who are immunocompetent with the addition of methotrexate-based chemotherapy to radiotherapy, but the potential neurotoxic effects of this combination in elderly patients is worrisome.