Shikha Ghanghoria, et al. Histological analysis of CNS tumours 1205 International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health | 2014 | Vol 3 | Issue 10 RETROSPECTIVE HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF CNS TUMOURS – A 5 YEAR STUDY Shikha Ghanghoria, Rakesh Mehar, CV Kulkarni, Meena Mittal, Ashok Yadav, Harshul Patidar Department of Pathology, MGM Medical College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India Correspondence to: Rakesh Mehar (dr.rmehar@rediffmail.com) DOI: 10.5455/ijmsph.2014.080720141 Received Date: 13.06.2014 Accepted Date: 08.07.2014 ABSTRACT Background: Cancers of the central nervous system (CNS) are considered to be among the most notorious of all cancers. The brain and spinal cord are complex & delicate organs that control the higher functions, the peripheral nervous system, and many of the voluntary and involuntary systems of the body. It has been found that about 1/3 of all cancers metastasize to the brain. Low-grade tumors have been found over time to progress to high grade tumors. Aims & Objectives: The objective of this article is to provide a current overview of the descriptive epidemiology of central nervous system tumors in our hospital set up. Our target was to study incidence of various lesion in light of WHO classification (2007) & study relevant statistics. Materials and Methods: A total of 65 cases of CNS tumors were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Pathology, M.G.M. Medical College, Indore from May 2009 to May 2014. The diagnoses in all the cases were made on hematoxylin & eosin stained slides of processed tissue. Results: In our study, meningioma was the most common lesion followed by astrocytoma. Out of total 65 cases, we came across 27 cases of meningioma and Astrocytoma was in 16 cases. 5 cases of ependymomas were seen. Conclusion: Males are at much higher risk of developing CNS lesion in comparison to females. WHO Grade I lesions were more common in our institutional set up. Astrocytic WHO Grade III lesion was more common in comparison to Grade I lesion indicating need for imaging & neurology consultation at grass root level. Key Words: CNS Lesions; Histology; WHO; Statistics; Meningioma; Astrocytoma Introduction Cancers of the central nervous system (CNS) are considered to be among the most notorious of all cancers. The brain and spinal cord are complex & delicate organs that control the higher functions, the peripheral nervous system, and many of the voluntary and involuntary systems of the body. It has been found that about 1/3 of all cancers metastasize to the brain. The majority of patients die within first year of diagnosis of malignant lesion and less than 3% survive more than 3 years. [1] Characterizing the different forms and range of CNS neoplasm’s in different regions may provide etiological clues to some tumor types. Histological descriptions of CNS tumors, as they occur in south East Asia and particularly in Singapore, are rare. [2] There is substantial increase in incidence of CNS tumor, mostly attributed to improvements in neuroimaging access and technology. Tumors of the CNS account for less than 2% above all malignancies. [1] Low-grade tumors, including low-grade astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas and mixed tumors, have been found over time to progress to high grade tumors. The time varies depending on the genetic & morphological makeup of the tumor. The same can be determined by proper examination of surgical specimen. Prognosis of high grade tumor is grave & few of the patients may not even survive 1 year after diagnosis. As seen among children under 14 years, and in adults 70 years and older, incidence rates for brain malignancies were significantly higher from 1991 to 1995 in comparison to what was seen from 1975 to 1979. [3] Age adjusted incidence rate for cancer of brain-nervous system in Bhopal cancer registry during 1988-2003 showed that there was an increase in the incidence of CNS tumor from 0.5 to 2.4 for males and 0.5 to 1.1 for females, respectively. [1] Although changes in diagnostic capabilities over the period provided a plausible explanation, the possibility exists that some factors might have emerged that may provide some protection against low-grade tumors. [3] The objective of this article is to provide a current overview of the descriptive epidemiology of central nervous system tumors in our hospital set up. Our target was to study incidence of various lesions in light of WHO classification (2007) [4] & study relevant statistics. RESEARCH ARTICLE