Diagnosis of primary brain tumors at the Hospital Universitario “Gustavo Aldereguía Lima”, Cienfuegos

Abstract

Introduction: the prevalence of central nervous system tumors has been increasing since the beginning of the 21st century; they are the cause of high mortality, reduced quality of life and have a negative impact on family health. Objective: proceed with the clinical and epidemiological characterization of patients over 18 years of age with primary brain tumors at the Hospital Universitario: “Gustavo Aldereguía Lima” in Cienfuegos. Method: an observational descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in patients older than 18 years with primary brain tumors. The universe in the study was made up of 25 patients and we worked with the entire universe. The variables studied were as follow: age, sex, location of brain tumors, histopathological classification and main symptoms of the involved patients. The descriptive statistic method was used. Results: patients between 41 and 60 years of age, a total of 13 (52 %), predominated and within them 7 (58.33 %) were males. Brain tumors of supratentorial location were the most prevalent with 17 (68 %). Glioblastoma was the most frequent histological type with 11 cases (44 %), and headache was the main symptom with 21 (84 %). Conclusions: the middle-aged male patients and with tumors of supratentorial location were the predominant ones. Glioblastoma was the most prevalent histologic type and headache was the main symptom.