Types of brain tumors in Hazara division and northern areas of Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Early diagnosis and management of brain tumors is important to reduce morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to calculate frequency of different types of brain tumors in patients operated and managed at Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad.

Methods: This study was carried out at Neurosurgical Department of Ayub Teaching hospital, Abbottabad from September 1999 to October 2003. Records of patients who consented for surgery after CT scan evidence of brain tumors, which were proved on biopsy later on, were included in the study. The tissue biopsy was taken by open craniotomy or by computerized stereotactic method. Pattern of different brain tumors was studied during this period.

Results: Our study revealed predominantly tumors arising from neuroepithelium (49.2%) while tumors arising from meninges were relatively low (23.3%). Nerve sheath tumors (4.2%), germ cell tumors, mal-developmental origin (2.5%), blood vessel tumors (5.8%) and miscellaneous tumors (6.6%) were found relatively in a very low frequency.

Conclusion: Evaluation of brain tumor frequency will help in future management plan that may be in the form of open craniotomy, stereo tactic radiosurgery, whole brain radiotherapy or gamma knife surgery.