Study of histopathology of tumors of the central nervous system in a teaching hospital

Abstract

Primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours are rare, but they are the second most common in childhood after the most common malignancy, leukaemia. They are considered the most notorious of all cancers. They represent characteristics of a unique, heterogeneous population of neoplasms with benign and malignant tumours and are reported to be less than 2 % of all malignant neoplasms. The aim of the study: To study various tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) Methods: A prospective study on CNS tumours was conducted in the department of Pathology, Guntur Medical College, Guntur, for two years, from June 2011 to May 2013. The data necessary for the study has been retrieved from the histopathology records at the department. 104 cases of CNS tumours were studied in detail, correlating the clinical, radiological and histopathological findings. The department of neurosurgery has provided the biopsy material. The applied nomenclature is that adopted by the 2007 WHO classification. Results: The tumours have been encountered in all age groups, from infants to 80yr elderly persons. The highest frequency is seen in the age group of 41 to 50 years (27 %), followed by 51 to 60 years age group (19 %). The most common tumour reported was astrocytomas constituting 21.1 % (22/104), followed by schwannomas constituting 19.2 % (20/104). least reported was plasmacytoma astrobalstoma 0.9 % (1/104). Conclusion: Adequate imaging by CT/MRI is an essential aid in the diagnosis. Although H&E staining is the mainstay for histopathological diagnosis, immunohistochemistry has played a significant role in diagnostic accuracy. In addition, the judicious use of a panel of selected antibodies is helpful in diagnostically challenging cases