What does a tumor look like? Brain tumors of different types look different. The inside of the normal brain is white. Tumors may be tan, yellow, gray, purple, red, or a mixture of colors. Some have cysts (fluid pockets). In addition, tumors often "feel" different than the surrounding brain, with some tumors being very soft, and others firm. This is how your surgeon determines what to remove, and how the surgeon can get a good idea of what type of tumor it is. Answered by Dr. Herbert Fuchs, pediatric neurosurgeon, Duke University, Durham July, 2007