Epidemiological profile of adult primary brain tumors.

Background: The study was carried out to explore the epidemiologic profile of the incidence of primary brain tumors (PBTs) in Syria.

Methods: A prospective and observational study was conducted in all neurosurgical departments of primary referral hospitals across Syria's 14 districts during 2009^th study was conducted in all neurosurgical department PBTs were included, with diagnoses based on either histopathological confirmation or characteristic radiological features. Incidence rates were age-adjusted to the 2004 Syrian standard population.

Results: A total of 2,994 cases (1,532 males and 1,462 females) were identified. The average annual incidence rate of PBTs was 7.48/100,000 person-years, with gliomas (3.36), meningiomas (1.43), and sellar region tumors (1.25) being the most common. Meningiomas showed a female predominance (female: male = 1.6:1), while gliomas were more common in males (male: female = 1.3:1). The median age at the diagnosis was 52 years overall, 56 years for neuroepithelial tumors, and 48 years for meningiomas.

Conclusion: The epidemiology of brain tumors in Syria shows a relatively low incidence, with differences in age and tumor distribution by sex. These findings establish a critical pre-conflict baseline for Syria and highlight potential under the diagnosis despite a functioning health infrastructure.