Abstract
Objectives The 2021 WHO Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors taxonomy laid further
stress on molecular classification and prognostication of glial tumors in comparison
to histopathological grading. Research shows that low-grade gliomas (LGGs) can go
through malignant differentiation and lead to severe disability and death. Data from
various populations will be necessary to ascertain the exact interplay between genotypic
predictors of LGG and outcomes.
Materials and Methods To assess the molecular pathology for glial tumors in the Pakistani population, the
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital carried out a retrospective chart review of
electronic health records from 2008 to 2018, with immunohistochemistry analysis findings
from 2010 to 2018. Patients with a pathological diagnosis of a glioma were included.
Statistical Analysis Analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23 and STATA Version 16.
A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant with 95% confidence
intervals reported.
Results In all, 281 operable tumors were recorded. The most common procedure was a subtotal
resection, and astrocytomas (64.77%) were the most common tumors. Radiation therapy
and PCV (procarbazine, CCNU, and vincristine) was received by 85 patients, while radiation
therapy and temozolomide were administered to 15 patients.
Conclusions Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type LGG had a lower survival time, while improved
survival times were seen for alpha-thalassemia X-linked intellectual disability syndrome
(ATRX) retained and 1p19q co-deleted LGGs. Further studies are required to gain a
better understanding of lower-grade glial tumor treatment and survival in Pakistan.
Keywords
brain tumor - epidemiology - glioma - LMIC - low-grade glioma
