Delay in presentation and diagnosis of adult primary intracranial neoplasms in a tropical teaching hospital: a pilot study

Int J Surg. 2009 Aug;7(4):396-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2009.07.001. Epub 2009 Jul 10.

Abstract

Sixty-three adult patients with intracranial neoplasms were studied prospectively over a 2 year period. The various factors related to pre-presentation symptoms interval (PSI) and pre-diagnostic interval (PI) were noted. The mean age at presentation for all patients was 46.8 years (range 18-72 years, median 46 years). Meningiomas (30%), Pituitary tumours (18%), High-grade gliomas (14%) and craniopharyngiomas (8%) were the most common brain tumours. The median PSI of all patients was 2 year (range 2 months-5 years) with a PI of 4 weeks (range 0-8 months). The PSI and PI were longer for women with a statistical significance between the PSI and gender (p=0.016). The tumour grade was significantly correlated with PSI (p=0.000) and PI (p=0.043). Late presentation and diagnosis were due to cultural and religious beliefs compounded by self medication and financial constraint. There is the need for widespread mass enlightenment, improvement in accessibility and affordability of neuroimaging facilities coupled with subsidization of treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cause of Death*
  • Developing Countries
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Hospitals, Teaching
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Nigeria
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Tropical Climate
  • Young Adult