Pathologic Panorama of Glial Tumours in Atertiary Care Centre - Three Years Institutional Study

BACKGROUND: Gliomas are type of tumours which arise from brain and spinal cord. Three types of glial cells produce these tumours. Glioma is the most frequent primary brain tumour of adults that has presumably glial origin. Astrocytomas express glial fibrillary acidic protein, an intermediate filament found in astrocytes that is routinely used as an aid in classifying a glioma as an astrocytoma. METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted at The Department of neuropathology, Institute of neurosurgery MMC/RGGGH from January 2015 to December 2017. A total of 341 cases of Glial tumors were reviewed during this period and classified histopathologically based upon the World Health Organisation 2016 classification of CNS tumors. Data on clinical presentation and radiological features of all cases were collected from patients records. In all cases gross features were recorded during grossing of the resected tumors. The tissue sections were processed and stained as per standard protocols. IHC markers were done in deserving cases. Age predilection, Sex Predilection, Tumor location and Histological grade of glial tumors studied. RESULTS: Out of 1572 cases evaluated Glial tumours comprised 21.6 %. Out of 341 cases 57 (16.7 %) wereGRADEI, 132 (38.7 %) GRADEII, 51 (14.9 %) GRADEIII, 101 (29.6 %) GRADEIV. Glial tumours show a slightly higher male predilection. The peak incidence of glial tumors are at fifth and sixth decade CONCLUSION: Glial tumours exhibit a broad range of histologic patterns and thorough histologic examination is needed to classify and grade gliomas for proper management. In our study we have emphasised that an accurate histopathological interpretation and use of markers are essential for predicting the prognosis, aggressiveness and recurrence.