Abstract
A relatively high frequency of brain tumors are observed in childhood and adults. This study is based on the records from the Department of Pathology, Ittefaq Hospital. All brain tumor biopsies done in all age groups ranging from 2 yrs to 82 years between 2010 and 2014 were included. Common diagnostic pitfalls, morphological criteria and immunohistochemical markers were identified. The cases comprised of 21 children (2-14 years) and adults (14-82 years). High grade tumors comprised 47% of adults and 33.3% of children. The most common tumors in childhood were benign (craniopharyngioma, choroid plexus papilloma) 42%, astrocytoma (23.8%), medulloblastoma (23.8%) ependymoma (9.5%), small round blue cell tumor (16%) and in adults; astrocytoma (20%), meningioma (21%), pituitary adenoma (7%), glioblastoma (23%) and metastatic carcinoma (3%). Other rare tumors were 22% of the total. In conclusion, the commonest tumor is craniopharyngioma in children and glioblastoma in adults. A combination of morphology and immunohistochemistry is helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis.