Incidence of brain tumours in the Maltese Islands : a population based study

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tumours of the brain are uncommon and knowledge of background incidence is important. Accurate information about incidence of brain tumours in Malta is lacking, and to our knowledge, no study has been done to date. The aim of this hospital based study was to define the incidence of brain tumours in Malta and Gozo using an audit of scan results as the main source.Secondary aims were to examine age and sex distribution of patients’ mode of presentation diagnostic tests carried out clinical diagnosis radiological data histopathological diagnosis number of hospital admissions and days in hospital till three months from presentation mortality rate for malignant tumours Karnofsky score at diagnosis and at three months from presentation.

METHODS: The method of case ascertainment was a review of all CT and MRI of the head performed between 2010 and 2015. Demographic and diagnostic data were collected for each patient diagnosed with a brain tumour. Diagnosis was confirmed histologically in some cases, when deemed clinically appropriate. Data was collected using PACS, Isoft Clinical Management, Electronic Case Summary, and patient’s records.

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