Hemangioblastomas are benign tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) with a predominance of the cerebellar hemispheres. They are one of the most frequent tumors of the posterior fossa in adults. In this retrospective study the data of 41 operated patients (23 men and 18 women) with a hemangioblastoma of the CNS are demonstrated. The mean age of the patients was 42.2 years (Range 4-70 years). 76% of the hemangioblastomas were located in the cerebellum, 9% in the cerebral hemispheres, 7% in the spinal canal and 5% in the brain stem. Signs of increased intracranial pressure and cerebellar dysfunction were the most frequent symptoms. Complete tumor removal was achieved in 90% of all operated cases. 82% of the hemangioblastomas were cystic and 18% solid. The mean diameter of the tumor cysts was 36 mm (Range 20-60 mm) and 18 mm (Range 2-40 mm) of the solid tumors. In 7% of the cases tumor recurrence was seen with a mean time interval of 5.7 years.