Central nervous system tumors in Morocco. Retrospective analysis of 2374 cases.
BACKGROUND
No epidemiological data about central nervous system tumors in Morroco have been published. The objective of the present study is to assess topographic and demographic patterns of a large series of histologically confirmed tumors of central nervous system (CNS), skull and vertebral column, examined in the main neuropathology laboratory of the country.


METHODS
No. 2363 tumors have been collected in the department of Neuropathology in Hôpital des spécialités oto-neuro-ophtalmiques, Rabat, between 1988 and 1997. Data concerning age, sex, tumor location and histological type were retrieved from the laboratory files. Histological typing was based on the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors and grading on the Kernohan and Mayo Clinic-St. Anne systems.


RESULTS
No. 1454 intraparenchymatous and 904 extraparenchymatous tumors were studied. The topographic repartition of these tumors presented no differences when compared to the literature data. The main differences were noted for malignant astrocytomas and glioblastomas which were less frequent than in Western countries and occurred in younger people. The young age of Morrocan population probably explains these findings. Childhood tumors repartition was similar to Western series.


CONCLUSIONS
These results emphazise the need for a population based registry in order to verify our findings and adapt efficient health intervention.
Amarti
A
A
Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, Hôpital des spécialités Oto-Neuro-Ophtalmologiques, Rabat, Morocco.
Ottmani
S
S
Maher
M
M
Bernoussi
Z
Z
Khamlichi
A
A
Saidi
A
A
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D009423:Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017678:Sex Distribution