Background: Central nervous system tumors are a complex heterogeneous group of neoplasm comprising both benign and malignant tumors with varied patterns in clinical picture and histologic profile. There have been some similarities and differences seen in the pattern of clinicopathological profile worldwide, however, there is a paucity of study to show the pattern in Nigeria.

Aim: This study aimed at describing the clinical and histopathological pattern of central nervous system tumors in our institution.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective review of cases of central nervous tumors from 2010 to 2021. Information on clinical presentations and histopathology of the tumors were reviewed and analyzed.

Results: We found 115 cases of central nervous system tumor with a mean age of 43.7 years and female preponderance. The most common presentations were headache (59 cases, 55.5%) for brain tumors and neck/back pain (16 cases, 100%) for spinal tumors. Supratentorial tumors were the most common accounting for (69 cases, 60%), and sellar region, the commonest site accounting for (25 cases, 29%) of primary brain tumors. Neuroepithelial tumors accounted for the majority (35 cases, 30.4%).

Conclusion: Central nervous system tumors were most common in the 5th decade with female preponderance. Neuroepithelial tumors have the highest incidence in the tumor groups.

Keywords: Anaplastic astrocytoma; CNS; brain; meningioma; neuroepithelial tumors; pituitary adenoma; spinal cord; tumors.

Copyright: © 2022 Journal of the West African College of Surgeons.