Epidemiologic Study of Central Nervous System Tumors in Rwanda

Introduction: Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are primary or secondary neoplasms located within the craniovertebral cavity. The incidence of CNS tumors is not uniform with variation between different countries, age groups and races. Objective: Our study aim was to generate new knowledge of the epidemiology of central nervous system tumors in Rwanda. Method: This was an observational retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with CNS tumors in Rwanda over a period of 10 years, from 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2015. Results: 466 patients enrolled, (52.2% females, 47.8% males). The median age at diagnosis of was 37 years. Brain tumors were 82.7%; spine tumor patients were 16.4%. The average annual age-standardized incidence of CNS tumors was 0.43/100, 0000 person-years and varied with age groups. Tumors of meningothelial cells represented the majority of brain tumors (31.8%). Metastatic tumors were the far most common spine tumors category. 55.8 % of CNS tumors reported in our study were histologically confirmed and of nonmalignant meningiomas were the commonest (33.9%). Conclusion: This is the very first study done on epidemiology of CNS tumors in Rwanda, and generated data about incidence of CNS tumors in Rwanda and their location and histological distribution.