Biomedical Research

DOI: 10.4066/biomedicalresearch.29-18-816

Abstract

Background: Brain tumors are associated with marked disability and mortality. Understanding the patterns and epidemiological characteristics associated with brain tumors can be crucial to their treatment.

Objective: To explore the magnitude and epidemiological features of primary brain tumors among patients admitted to Aseer Central Hospital (ACH), Abha City, Saudi Arabia, and to identify different decisions for their management. Methodology: All hospital records of brain tumor patients admitted to ACH from 2015-2017 were reviewed. Collected data included patients' demographic characteristics, clinical findings, histopathological diagnosis, and management.

Results: During the aforementioned period, a total of 100 patients with primary brain tumors were admitted to ACH. The most commonly presenting symptoms were headache (72%), vomiting, dizziness, and focal motor deficits (25% for all). Tumor location was mostly at the frontal or parietal lobes. Among those who underwent surgery, meningioma grade I was the most frequently diagnosed (41.7%). The mean surgical time was 4.2 ± 1.6 h. Most patients who underwent surgery at ACH stayed in the intensive care unit anywhere from 1 d or 2-4 d (34% and 40%, respectively). The Glasgow outcome scale scores of most patients (91.7%) indicated that the patients had a good recovery. However, one patient died (1.7%), one was in a persistent vegetative state (1.7%), and three sustained moderate disability (5%).

Conclusion: Most patients with brain tumors admitted to ACH undergo surgery. Meningioma grade I is the most commonly encountered brain tumor, and this finding may reflect different epidemiological findings from the internationally accepted concept that glioblastoma multiforme is the most common brain tumor. The most common locations for brain tumors are the frontal and parietal lobes.

Keywords

Brain neoplasms, Epidemiology, Clinical picture, Histopathology, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction

Brain tumors comprise a large group of benign and malignant neoplasms [1]. Primary malignant brain tumors are relatively rare; however, over the last few decades, it has been observed that the incidence rates for brain tumors have been increasing. This increase may be due to improved diagnostic techniques and to changes in tumor coding and classification [2,3].

Brain tumors constitute a mixed group of neoplasms that originate from intracranial tissues and the meninges, with degrees of malignancy that can range from benign to aggressive. Benign brain tumors can be lethal due to their site in the brain, their ability to infiltrate locally, and their tendency to transform to malignancy [4]. Malignant brain tumors account for 1.4% of all cancers and 2.3% of all cancer-related deaths. They are particularly deleterious since they can interfere with the normal brain functions that are essential for life [5]. These tumors are usually associated with marked disability and mortality. Accordingly, the ability to understand the patterns and epidemiological characteristics associated with brain tumors can be crucial to the prevention of these lesions [6].

Brain tumors represent among the most common human diseases. It has been estimated that the prevalence of brain tumors among the Saudi population is 0.3% [7]. In the Middle East, Iran ranks highest with respect to the highest prevalence rate of brain tumors, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) ranking second [8]. However, most local cancer registries in the Middle East do not meet international standards [6], and there are a few studies that have analyzed the epidemiology of brain tumors in the region [7-11]. Accordingly, there is a lack of information related to the epidemiological characteristics of these tumors in Arabic and Middle Eastern countries, including KSA.

This study aims to explore the magnitude and epidemiological features of primary brain tumors among patients admitted to Aseer Central Hospital (ACH), Abha City, Saudi Arabia, and to identify the different decisions for their management.

Materials and Methods

This research followed a retrospective study design. All hospital records of patients with brain tumors who had been admitted to ACH from January 2015 to December 2017 were reviewed. ACH is a tertiary care hospital located in Abha City, Aseer Region at the South-Western part of Saudi Arabia.

According to the ACH protocol and guidelines for the management of brain tumor cases, operable cases undergo surgery and postoperative follow up at the hospital. Some cases may be referred to oncology-specialized centers in Jeddah or Riyadh after surgery to continue chemotherapy or radiotherapy sessions. Upon their request, patients are free to leave the hospital against medical advice (LAMA). So, our patients ended up being in 3 groups, first group, includes all operated brain tumors patients at ACH, second group, involves patients who were referred to higher centers that has specialized oncology centers for chemo and radiotherapy, and third group, involves patients who left the hospital against medical advice without formulating any plans for treatment. Collected data included patients' demographic characteristics, clinical findings, histopathological diagnosis, and management decisions.

Data entry and analysis were completed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 23.0). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the arrangement of frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables, and range, means, and standard deviations for quantitative variables. Inferential statistics were applied using the chisquare test (χ²) and Kruskal-Wallis H test. P-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Between January 2015 and December 2017, a total of 100 patients with brain tumors were admitted to ACH with a diagnosis of primary brain tumor. The decisions for management of these cases included operation (60 patients), being referred to specialized hospitals in Jeddah or Riyadh (14 patients), or LAMA (26 patients) (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Different decisions for management of primary brain tumor patients admitted to Aseer Central Hospital during 2015-2017.

Table 1 shows that the age of most patients who were operated upon (40%) and those who were referred (50%) was 60 y or more, while 34.6% of those who opted for LAMA were 40-59 y of age. There were no statistically significant differences in patients' outcomes according to their age groups. Most of our patients were females (56.7% were operated upon, 57.1% were referred, and 65.4% opted for LAMA). There were no statistically significant differences in patients' outcomes according to their gender. Most of our patients were of Saudi origin (73.3% were operated upon, 92.9% were referred, and 92.3% opted for LAMA). There were no statistically significant differences in patients' outcomes according to their nationality.

Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of the study groups with brain tumor according to their management decisions.

Table 2 shows that the most commonly presenting symptoms for patients with brain tumors were headache (72%), vomiting, dizziness, and focal motor deficits (25% for all). Patients' outcomes differed significantly according to their presenting symptoms (P=0.03), with headache being highest among patients with LAMA (76.9%), while vomiting and dizziness were highest among referred cases (28.6% and 42.9%, respectively).

Table 2: Clinical presentation of patients with brain tumor according to their management decisions.

Table 3 shows that most patients underwent diagnostic imaging either on the same day of admission or the next day. The location of the tumor was mostly at the frontal or parietal lobes. Most patients had one tumor. Almost half of tumors were on the right side. The tumor size varied greatly, with a median of 8 mm³ among those who were operated upon, 12.1 mm³ among those who were referred, and 11.7 mm³ among those who opted for LAMA. There were no statistically significant differences in patient outcomes based on their period of admission until the time they underwent diagnostic imaging. Further, there were no significant differences in patient outcomes based on tumor location, number of tumors, side, or size.

Table 3: Tumor characteristics according to patients’ management decisions.

Table 4 shows that among those who were operated upon, the most commonly diagnosed pathological types of brain tumors were meningioma grade I (41.7%), followed by high-grade glioma/glioblastoma (16.7%); Most surgeries were performed by one or two surgeons (18.3% and 58.3%, respectively). Most surgeries (75%) necessitated blood transfusion. Hospital stays from admission until surgery varied greatly (1-33 d), with a mean of 7.8 ± 6.3 d and a median of 6 d. Duration of surgery also varied greatly (1-8 h), with a mean of 4.2 ± 1.6 h and a median of 4 h.

Table 4: Surgery data as recorded among brain tumor patients who underwent surgery at ACH (n=60).

Table 5 shows that most brain tumor patients who underwent surgery at ACH stayed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 1 d or 2-4 d (34% and 40%, respectively). Their ward periods of stay were mainly 7-13 d or 14+ d (33.9% and 54.2%, respectively). According to the Glasgow Coma Scale, most patients (91.7%) had a good recovery; however, one patient died (1.7%), one was in a persistent vegetative state (1.7%), and three sustained moderate disability (5%).

Table 5: Outcome data as recorded among brain tumor patients who underwent surgery at ACH (n=60).

Discussion

The results of the current study showed that between January 2015 and December 2017, 100 patients with brain tumors were admitted to ACH. The age of most patients who were operated on and who were referred to specialist hospitals was 60 y or more, while most of those who opted for LAMA were aged 40-59 y. Moreover, most of our patients were females. In addition, almost two thirds of patients were operated upon, while 14% were referred, and 26% opted for LAMA.

Our findings are in accordance with those of Tamimi et al. [6], in Jordan, as those researchers reported a higher incidence of brain tumors among females (5.38 per 100,000) compared with 4.65 per 100,000 in males. Individuals in the 55-59-y age range had the highest incidence of brain tumors.

Brain tumor patients are usually referred to specialized medical oncology centers in Riyadh (e.g., the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center). Referrals are usually decided for late-stage patients or when management necessitates advanced diagnostic or therapeutic facilities that are not currently available at ACH.

Conversely, Ibrahim et al. [12] stated that discharges against medical advice, or self-discharges, are examples of when patients’ preferences are accounted for when making the decision of when to discharge. In some instances, patients decide not to wait for administrative delays in the discharge process. On other occasions, pressing domestic or social concerns may lead patients to leave the hospital before their physicians believe they are ready.

The outcomes of our brain tumor patients (whether they were operated upon, referred to a specialist hospital, or opted for LAMA) did not differ significantly based on their sociodemographic characteristics.

The findings of the current study showed that the most commonly presenting symptoms among patients with brain tumors were headache (72%), vomiting, dizziness, and focal motor deficits (25% for all). Patients’ outcomes differed significantly according to their presenting symptoms (P=0.03).

These findings are in accordance with those reported by Hamilton et al. [13], who stated that up to 70% of patients with brain tumors experience headache during the course of their illness. Bangash [8] reported that the most common presenting symptoms among brain tumor patients were headache (68%), followed by nausea and vomiting (32%). However, Grant [14] reported that the most common first symptoms among brain tumor patients were seizures (47%), headache (23%), and focal symptoms (11%).

The results of this study revealed that most brain tumor patients underwent diagnostic imaging either on the same day of admission or the next day. The tumors were mostly located at the frontal or parietal lobes. Most patients only had a single tumor. There was no predilection for a certain side, as almost half of tumors were on the right side. These findings are in accordance with those of several studies that reported how the frontal lobe was reported to be the most common site of brain tumors [8,15-18].

The present study revealed that among those who were operated upon, the most commonly diagnosed pathological types of brain tumors were meningioma grade I, and highgrade glioma/glioblastoma. Most surgeries were performed by one or two surgeons. Most surgeries necessitated blood transfusion. Hospital stay from admission until surgery varied greatly (range: 1-33 d). The duration of surgery also varied greatly (range: 1-8 h). Most brain tumor patients stayed in the ICU for 1 d or 2-4 d, and their ward stays were mainly 7-13 d or 14+ d in duration. The Glasgow Coma Scale scores for most patients indicated good recovery, with 1% postoperative mortality.

Ohgaki [19] stated that gliomas account for more than 70% of all brain tumors. Of these, glioblastomas are the most frequent and malignant histologic type. Dasenbrock et al. [20] reported that the median hospital stay after surgery for brain tumors was 4 d, with 27.7% of patients having a hospital stay of at least 8 d. Williams et al. [21] reported that postoperative mortality is almost 3%.

There are geographical variations in the distribution of brain tumors [22]. Therefore, epidemiological studies are important for exploring the magnitude and demographic distribution of brain tumors [23]. In Iran, meningiomas are reported to be the most common tumors [24,25], whereas the incidence of lowgrade gliomas is highest in Syria [10].

In conclusion, most brain tumor patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Abha City, KSA, undergo surgery; however, some patients must be referred to specialized oncology centers, while others prefer LAMA. Furthermore, the size of brain tumors varies greatly. Meningioma grade I is the most commonly encountered brain tumor, followed by high-grade glioma/glioblastoma. The most common locations for brain tumors are the frontal and parietal lobes. The duration of surgery varies greatly, which may last up to 8 h, and most patients require a blood transfusion. One surgeon usually operates on those patients; however, some surgeries require more than one surgeon. Finally, the duration of hospital stay varies greatly, which may last longer than a month.

Acknowledgment

English-language editing of this manuscript was provided by Journal Prep Services.

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