Clinical and Histopathological Spectrum of Central Nervous System Tumors at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Gujarat, India: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract Background: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Understanding regional patterns of CNS tumors is essential for assessing disease burden and planning appropriate healthcare services. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and histopathological spectrum of CNS tumors in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat, India. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 186 patients of all age groups diagnosed with CNS tumors over 3 years. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Surgically excised specimens were processed and examined histopathologically using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Tumors were classified and graded according to the World Health Organization Classification of CNS Tumors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The highest frequency of CNS tumors occurred in patients aged 41–50 years (32.7%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1. Headache was the most common presenting symptom (44.1%). Glial tumors were the predominant histological type (54.9%), followed by meningiomas (16.1%) and schwannomas (11.6%). Metastatic tumors accounted for 4.2% of cases, whereas pituitary macroadenomas constituted 3.8%. Conclusion: Glial tumors represent the most frequent CNS neoplasms in this region, with a peak occurrence in middle-aged adults. Regional epidemiological data on CNS tumors provide valuable insights into disease patterns and underscore the importance of histopathological diagnosis for effective clinical management and healthcare planning.