Epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic profile of cerebral tumors in the radiotherapy department of Dalal Jamm hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Brain tumors, whether benign or malignant, primary or secondary, raise public health concerns due to their relative rarity and high mortality and morbidity rates. They account for 1.6% of all cancer cases, with types predominating according to patient age and gender. Brain metastases are more frequent than primary malignant brain tumors. Advances in imaging have improved diagnosis and management, but the constraints of the African context limit access to care. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 105 patients with brain tumors treated between June 2018 and October 2022 at the Dalal Jamm Hospital in Guediawaye. Sociodemographic, clinical, radiological, therapeutic and evolutionary data were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS. Results: Of 1,740 patients treated with radiotherapy, 105 had brain tumors. Women were more numerous, with a mean age of 43.17 years. The most common symptoms were related to intracranial hypertension. The majority of patients were in good general condition on admission. The mean time from diagnosis of the primary lesion to the appearance of brain metastases was 48.37 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging was underused. Secondary brain tumors were frequent, mainly of mammary origin. Radiotherapy was the main treatment, but limited access to radiotherapy centers led to delays. Radiotherapy doses varied according to tumor type. Concomitant chemotherapy was given for high-grade gliomas, but its use was limited due to cost and drug shortages. Palliative chemotherapy was rarely used. Median survival was 3 months.