CURRENT EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRENDS OF BRAIN TUMORS, ONE OF THE ORGANIC CAUSES OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC PRESENTATIONS, IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Brain neoplasms represent abnormal growths or masses of cells, which arise from brain parenchyma or surrounding tissues. There are different classes of brain tumors, each with their own unique Histopathological characteristics, clinical course, prognosis and management. They are a significant cause of distress and mortality in adults as well as pediatric populations, causing significant disabilities and burden on overall health care and family systems.

Objective: The foremost objective was to know about the prevalence and demographic details of Primary intracranial neoplasms and neoplasm like lesions.

Material and Methods: Our study was retrospective in nature, which was conducted from 1st January 2015 to 30th April 2024. Study Area was Central Pathology Laboratory, a well-equipped laboratory, was selected as the site for conducting the study. On the basis of age, the participants were divided into 3 groups i.e. Group 1(1-19 years), Group 2 (20-39 years) and Group 3 (40 years and above). Mean ± SD was calculated for continuous variables such as age. Frequencies and %ages were calculated for categorical variables like gender.  SPSS Software was utilized to analyze the data.  The results obtained were shown in the form of tables

Results: sA total of 195 brain tumors biopsy reports were Histopathological diagnosed. 113(57.94%) were males while 82(42.05%) were females, which is indicative of male predominance. On the basis of age, the least number of subjects were in the age group of 1-9 years i.e. 9 (4.62%) followed by 20-39 years with only 13 cases (6.67%). Majority of patients i.e. 173 (88.71 %) were aged 40 years and above. The mean age was 37.60 ±SD 17.84. Histopathological, the most prevalent brain neoplasms were astrocytomas.

Conclusion: The most frequent neoplasms were astrocytomas and meningiomas. Neurophysicians and psychiatrists should be watchful in their clinical experience for excluding organic brain pathologies including brain neoplasms. Less female prevalence could be due to their limited access to medical services in our region.