Descriptive epidemiology of cranial-spine tumours in The Lake Zone Region of Mwanza, Tanzania: A cross-sectional

Abstract

Background: The term cranial-spinal tumours refer to a mixed group of neoplasms originating from anywhere along the cranium extending up to the sacral region of the spine, including superficial scalp neoplasms to the deep-seated lesions of variable histopathologic pattern, with various presentations, some presenting as primary benign or malignant, metastatic, unilateral or bilateral lesions.

Objective: To understand the demographic characteristics and histopathologic patterns of cranialspinal tumours (CSTs) at a tertiary hospital in Mwanza.

Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for CSTs at our institution between January 2014 and December 2022 and had histopathologic results were included in a retrospective database. Patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of CSTs without histopathological results were excluded. Collected data included basic demographics, clinical presentation, and histopathologic findings.

Results: A total of 151 cranial spinal tumours in 72 (47.7%) males and 79 (52.3%) female patients were recorded. Pediatric and adult patients were 27% and 73%, respectively. The predominant age group was 40 and 49 years (23.5%). The most common histopathological diagnosis was meningioma (31.3%), followed by gliomas (16.7%), metastatic tumors (10.7%), and lymphomas (7.3%). The meningothelial meningioma was the most common among meningiomas (48.5%). Glioblastoma Multiforme accounted for 36% of the gliomas. Medulloblastoma was the most common among the pediatric group.

Conclusion: This retrospective study established a baseline profile of cranial-spinal tumors of 151 patients based on the histopathological experience at BMC. The peak age group was between 40 and 49 years. Meningioma was the most common neoplasm, whereas medulloblastoma was the most common among the pediatric population.