Demographic Profile of CNS Tumors and Histopathological Evaluation of Pituitary Lesions: An Institutional Study

Abstract

Primary Central Nervous System tumors (CNS trs) are a diverse group of neoplasm showing significant geographic variations in incidence, morbidity, mortality, and survival. Pituitary adenomas (PA) recently termed as Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumours (PitNET) are the commonest mass in the sellar region, can produce local, and distant effects.1 However, some developmental, inflammatory, and neoplastic lesions may primarily or secondarily involve the sella, mimicking pituitary tumors; recognition of which is crucial for the appropriate management. Aims: To evaluate the histopathological profile of primary CNS trs and to correlate with age, sex and site at presentation. Pituitary lesions are further analyzed to find out prevalence of non adenomatous lesions in pituitary Materials and methods: Histologically diagnosed 79 primary CNS trs and 18 pituitary lesions are analyzed. Results: Meningioma is the commonest brain and CNS trs. The PA being the second commonest CNS trs, constitute 17% of CNS trs, 22% of brain tumors and 78% of pituitary lesions. Other sellar lesions were single cases of Rathkeys cleft cyst (RCC), Arachnoid cyst, craniopharyngioma and pituitary apoplexy. Conclusion: This retrospective study established a baseline profile of brain tumors and sellar lesions based primarily on the histopathological experience at a tertiary care hospital in the Southern Kerala.