Clinico Pathological Study of Central Nervous System Neoplasms

Abstract

The central nervous system consists of brain and spinal cord invested with meninges. It is made up of two types of cells, Nerve cells or neurons which show numerous long processes and Glial cells which are the supporting cells of the nervous system, which occupy the space between neurons. Four principal types of neuroglial cells are recognized: Oligodendrocytes, Astrocytes, Microglial cells and Ependymal cells. Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors account for 85% of brain tumors and 15% of spinal cord tumors, however metastatic tumors are usually extradural. Brain tumors are the second most common solid tumors in children next to Leukemia. Medulloblastoma is the commonest tumor among the pediatrics age group. Risk factors affecting brain tumors still persist unclear. Neoplasms of central nervous system accounts for approximately 1% of tumors of the human body, and they can be primary or secondary (metastatic), benign or malignant, and intra-axial or extra-axial. Neoplasms of the CNS can occur in both adults and pediatrics populations. Although adult and children may experience similar tumors, their incidences vary greatly with age. To study the spectrum of central nervous system space occupying lesions and the grade of neoplasms according to the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). To correlate the diagnosis of these lesions with radiological findings in certain tumors, special stains and Immunohistochemistry were applied wherever needed.