Improving Brain Tumor Research in Resource-Limited Countries: A Review of the Literature Focusing on West Africa

Ngulde, Saidu Ibrahim; Fezeu, Francis; Ramesh, Arjun; Moosa, Shayan; Purow, Benjamin; Lopez, Beatrice; Schiff, David; Hussaini, Isa M.; Sandabe, Umar Kyari

doi:10.7759/cureus.372

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…There are known risk factors associated with brain tumors and these include radiation exposure, hereditary factors, age, sex, ethnicity, infections, and heavy metal exposure 20. Not many studies have been carried out in our environment to elucidate possible risk factors for development of intracranial tumours.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Histo-pathological pattern of intracranial tumours in the National Hospital, Abuja

2018

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Background/aimsIntracranial tumours demonstrate characteristic diagnostic histopathological features. Our aims were to look at the histo-pathological pattern of intracranial tumours in our environment including their age and sex distribution.MethodsThe histology request forms and slides of all intracranial specimens submitted to the histo-pathology department of National Hospital, Abuja, over an 11 year period (2005 and 2015) were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsIntracranial specimens and intracranial tumours accounted for 0.6% and 0.5% respectively of all samples submitted. Meningiomas accounted for the most frequent diagnosis for all intracranial specimens and intracranial tumours at 35% and 41% respectively followed by pituitary adenoma at 19% and 22%, and astrocytoma at 13% and 20%. The male female ratio for all diagnoses was 1:1. The mean age at diagnosis was 35 ± 17.1 years. The frequency of intracranial tumours in children was 11.8% with a mean age of 8.3 ± 4.4 years and an equal sex distribution. In children, glioma and embryonal tumours were the most frequent diagnosis at 25%.ConclusionThe histo-pathological pattern of intracranial tumours in our environment showed that meningioma is the most common intracranial tumour in adults, while glioma and embryonal tumours are the most common intracranial tumours in children.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, high levels of lead have been associated with development of meningiomas. It has been suggested that ingestion of snails, canned meat and fish may be risk factors for development of meningiomas 20…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histo-pathological pattern of intracranial tumours in the National Hospital, Abuja

2018

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“…However, these cases may not reflect the true burden of BTs in Kenya considering KNH remains the main neurosurgical and neurooncological care center. Patient factors, such as healthcare seeking behaviors, health system challenges, including service delivery, health workforce, health system financing, and neurosurgical and neurooncological care are largely overlooked in resource-limited settings, including Kenya [ 25 ]. This may impair health care and service delivery for brain tumors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histological types of brain tumors diagnosed at the Kenyatta National Hospital between 2016 and 2019: a retrospective study

Gesaka,

Okemwa,

Mwachaka

2024

Discov Onc

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Purpose To determine the histological types of brain tumors diagnosed at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Methods This retrospective study retrieved patient-archived records at the Kenyatta National Hospital for the period 2016–2019. The histological types of brain tumors were assessed according to age, sex, and the WHO classification for CNS tumors using the GNU PSPP version 1.6.2-g78a33 software. Results were presented in tables and figures. Results During the study period, brain tumors appeared to increase gradually; however, there was a decline in 2018. During the study period, 345 brain tumor records were retrieved. Data on age were missing 33 records; hence, 312 records were included for age analyses. The mean age for the pediatrics and adults was 9 (± 5 SD) and 45 (± 14 SD) years, respectively. 88 (28.2%) and 224 (71.8%) tumors were diagnosed among pediatrics and adults, respectively. Most tumors, 60 (19.2%) were reported in patients aged ≤ 10 years, followed by 55 (17.6%), 48 (15.4%), and 47 (15.1%) in patients aged 31–40, 51–60, and 41–50, years, respectively. In both pediatrics and adults, most tumors were diagnosed in females aged ≤ 10 years and 31–40 years, respectively. Overall, two peaks were observed in patients aged 5–15 years and 40–45 years. Gliomas, 43 (48.9%) and medulloblastomas, 21 (23.9%) were the most common tumors in pediatrics, whereas meningiomas, 107 (47.8%) and gliomas, 70 (31.3%) were the most common tumors in adults. Most pediatric and adult tumors were benign with 50 (56.8%) and 157 (70.1%) cases, respectively. Low-grade gliomas and medulloblastomas were the commonest benign and malignant tumors among pediatrics, with 31 (62%) and 21 (55.3%) cases, respectively. Conversely, meningiomas and high-grade gliomas were the most common benign and malignant tumors in adults, with 106 (67.5%) and 44 (65.7%) cases, respectively. Conclusion This study highlights the existing burden of brain tumors in Kenya and data from KNH may be representative of the national burden of BTs. This study lays a foundation for subsequent clinical and epidemiological studies and emphasizes the need to adopt existing reporting standards to help realize a complete picture of the burden of brain tumors in Kenya.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The inadequate health resources of many African countries have led to the underestimation of brain cancer incidence (Ngulde et al., 2015 ). This results in underreporting of the negative impacts that brain cancer has on society (Ngulde et al., 2015 ). The lack of a healthcare system able to provide adequate diagnostic services and treatment poses a severe challenge to resource‐limited countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology and etiology of brain cancer in Africa: A systematic review

et al. 2023

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BackgroundCancer is a significant threat to public health and a leading cause of morbidity across the globe. Of all cancers, brain cancer can be particularly catastrophic as treatment often fails to achieve the desired degree of effectiveness and diagnosis remains associated with a high mortality rate. Africa, as a continent with resource‐limited countries, needs to allocate the necessary proper healthcare infrastructure to significantly reduce cancer rates and improve patient survival. In addition, the relative paucity of data within this field in Africa makes effective management a challenge.ObjectiveThis review is aimed at elucidating the currently available evidence base with regard to the epidemiology and etiology of brain cancer within resource‐limited African countries. This review hopes to bring to the attention of the wider clinical community the growing burden of brain cancer within Africa and to encourage future research into this field of research.MethodsThe available literature for this Systematic Review was searched on two bibliographic databases, PubMed and Scopus, using an individually verified, prespecified approach. In addition, the Global Cancer Observatory and Global Burden of Disease databases were also utilized. Studies reporting on the epidemiology, etiology, and impact of brain cancer in Africa were suitable for inclusion. The level of evidence of the included studies was considered as per the Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine recommendations.ResultsOut of the four databases searched, 3848 articles were initially screened rigorously, filtered into 54 articles, and finally assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. We have demonstrated a poor survival rate and lack of proper funds/resources necessary to report, identify, and treat cases, as well as the dearth of comprehensive research on the subject of brain cancer that has become a challenging healthcare concern in many African developing nations. Also, because of the gradual improvement in healthcare facilities and the increasing population within many countries in Africa, the number of patients with central nervous system and intracranial tumors is rising specifically in the elder population. In addition, the population in West Africa is at a higher risk of HIV‐related malignancies due to the high prevalence of HIV in West Africa. The burden of brain cancer in Africa is increasing in comparison with the developed parts of the world in which it is decreasing. Moreover, the mismanagement of cancers in Africa leads to higher morbidity and mortality and decreased quality of life.ConclusionThis study addresses the burden of brain cancer as a major public health crisis in Africa. Improved treatment modalities and access to screening are required to better address the burden of this disease. Therefore, there is a clear need for more substantial and comprehensive research on etiology, epidemiology, and treatment of brain cancer within Africa to understand its epidemiological distribution and provide a means for managing and reducing the associated morbidity and mortality.

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Improving Brain Tumor Research in Resource-Limited Countries: A Review of the Literature Focusing on West Africa

Cited by 6 publications

References 39 publications

Histo-pathological pattern of intracranial tumours in the National Hospital, Abuja

Histo-pathological pattern of intracranial tumours in the National Hospital, Abuja

Histological types of brain tumors diagnosed at the Kenyatta National Hospital between 2016 and 2019: a retrospective study

Epidemiology and etiology of brain cancer in Africa: A systematic review

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