Pattern of brain tumor among admitted patients in a specialized center of Dhaka city: a cross sectional study

Abstract

A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm which involves varied types of cells. Management strategies and prognosis of tumor depends on the combination of factors like the type and grade of tumor, its location, size and state of development. In Bangladesh number of cancer cases increase in last decades with increase mortality and morbidity. It is estimated that there are around 800,000 cancer patients and around 150,000 die annually.Head neck/ Brain tumors constitute about 2-5% cases. Definite typing, grading of brain tumor by histological examination is essential for appropriate treatment. The overall objective of the study is to observe the frequency of different types of brain tumors among patients in a leading specialized center of Dhaka city.This cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2015 to January 2016 in National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 220 cases were selected purposively during the study period irrespective of age and sex along with patients’ clinical diagnoses, CT scan or MRI report, and operative findings and histological diagnosis were observed. This study also shows more frequency (75 study subjects) between the age of 40–49 years. Males are more likely to be diagnosed(56.6%) than females (43.4%).In urban 26.3% patients visits to doctor as per recommended and 52.6% patients visit to doctor only when attacks. In rural area 34.4% patients visit to doctor as per recommended and 44.4% patients visit to doctor only when attacks. Among male patients, 59.7% had WHO grade I, 33.9% had WHO grade II, 4.8% had WHO grade III and 1.6% had WHO grade IV severity of tumor. Whereasamong female patients, 58.3% had WHO grade I, 29.2% had WHO grade II, 9.4% had WHO grade III and 3.1% had WHO grade IV severity of tumor.Majority of the cases (150; 68.2%) had one surgery. More than twice surgeries were required among 10 (4.5%) cases. Craniotomy was done among 115 (52.3%) cases, Craniectomy was observed among 57 (25.9%) cases, Endoscopic removal of tumor was done in 48 (21.8%) cases. Minor complications observed in 135 (61.3%) cases, major complications were in 25 (11.4%) cases. pituitary cases were highest (122; 55.4% cases), frontal lobe tumors were 35 (15.9%) cases and parietal lobe tumors were in 40 (18.2%) cases. Brain tumors in adult arising in the frontal, temporal and parietal lobe collectively form the greatest proportion and majority (86%). Brain tumor in wide variety is present among all ages and sex. Proper policy, planning will reduce future disease burden.