Evaluating the current neuro-oncology capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A questionnaire-based survey

Francis Zerd; Lateef A. Odukoya; Beverly Cheserem; Kwadwo Darko; Nathalie C. Ghomsi; Gloria S. Kabare; David O. Kamson; Jeanette E. Eckel-Passow; Robert B. Jenkins; Paul Decker; Henry Llewellyn; Gaspar J. Kitange; Andrea O. Akinjo; Kabir B. Badmos; W. Elorm Yevudza; Olufemi Bankole; Olufemi E. Idowu; Abiola Abdulrahman Ayanlaja; Claire Karekezi; Elias Edrick; Chukwuyem Ekhator; Victoria M. Katasi; Daniel H. Lachance; Jason Huse; Margreth Magambo; Eyerusalem Banti; Michael Magoha; Advera Ngaiza; Arsene D. Nyalundja; Dominique Higgins; Minda Okemwa; Lawrence Osei-Tutu; Bernard Petershie; Frank J. Minja; Charles C. Anunobi; Arnold B. Etame; Liadi Tiamiyu; Gbetoho Fortuné Gankpe; Ugumba Mussa Kwikima; Kashaigili Heronima; Kristin Schroeder; Thierry Muanza; Desmond A. Brown; Alan Davidson; Ekokobe Fonkem; Teddy Totimeh; James Balogun

doi:10.1093/nop/npaf107

Evaluating the current neuro-oncology capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A questionnaire-based survey

Francis Zerd
, Lateef A. Odukoya
, Beverly Cheserem
, Kwadwo Darko
, Nathalie C. Ghomsi
, Gloria S. Kabare
, David O. Kamson
, Jeanette E. Eckel-Passow
, Robert B. Jenkins
, Paul Decker
, Henry Llewellyn
, Gaspar J. Kitange
, Andrea O. Akinjo
, Kabir B. Badmos
, W. Elorm Yevudza
, Olufemi Bankole
, Olufemi E. Idowu
, Abiola Abdulrahman Ayanlaja
, Claire Karekezi
, Elias Edrick

Chukwuyem Ekhator, Victoria M. Katasi, Daniel H. Lachance, Jason Huse, Margreth Magambo, Eyerusalem Banti, Michael Magoha, Advera Ngaiza, Arsene D. Nyalundja, Dominique Higgins, Minda Okemwa, Lawrence Osei-Tutu, Bernard Petershie, Frank J. Minja, Charles C. Anunobi, Arnold B. Etame, Liadi Tiamiyu, Gbetoho Fortuné Gankpe, Ugumba Mussa Kwikima, Kashaigili Heronima, Kristin Schroeder, Thierry Muanza, Desmond A. Brown, Alan Davidson, Ekokobe Fonkem, Teddy Totimeh, James Balogun

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This project aimed to assess and map out the current neuro-oncology capacity in SSA, brain tumor registries, and biobanks. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey to gather data from healthcare professionals involved in CNS tumor care across SSA through the Society for Neuro-Oncology SSA (SNOSSA). The survey captured information on the availability of neuro-oncology practitioners, neuropathology, molecular diagnostics, cancer registries, and biobanking. Results: A total of 145 respondents representing 70 healthcare institutions across 22 countries participated. Of the 70 institutions, specialties included neurosurgery (89%, 62/70), anatomic pathology (74%, 52/70), and medical oncology (71%, 50/70). For radiologic evaluation, 64% (45/70) of responding institutions reported having both CT and MRI. Access to molecular testing through immunohistochemistry or next-generation sequencing was available in 46% (32/70) of responding institutions. Multidisciplinary tumor boards were available for CNS cases in 86% (60/70) of responding institutions. Brain tumor-specific registries were available in 29% (20/70) of responding institutions, and 10% (7/70) maintained brain tumor biorepositories. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that SSA has substantial potential in neuro-oncology care practice capacity and facilities. The most significant gaps were in neuropathology and molecular testing, which makes widespread implementation of the WHO 2021 diagnosis challenging. Understanding the prevalence of CNS tumor subtypes in SSA is difficult due to the low number of brain tumor registries and biobanks.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	537-548
Number of pages	12
Journal	Neuro-Oncology Practice
Volume	13
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/nop/npaf107
Publication status	Published - Jun 2026
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Sub-Saharan Africa
brain tumors
central nervous system
neuro-oncology

Access to Document

10.1093/nop/npaf107

Cite this

Zerd, F., Odukoya, L. A., Cheserem, B., Darko, K., Ghomsi, N. C., Kabare, G. S., Kamson, D. O., Eckel-Passow, J. E., Jenkins, R. B., Decker, P., Llewellyn, H., Kitange, G. J., Akinjo, A. O., Badmos, K. B., Yevudza, W. E., Bankole, O., Idowu, O. E., Ayanlaja, A. A., Karekezi, C., ... Balogun, J. (2026). Evaluating the current neuro-oncology capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A questionnaire-based survey. Neuro-Oncology Practice, 13(3), 537-548. https://doi.org/10.1093/nop/npaf107

@article{3cec04d4a7964c09828f47d7545a1fca,

title = "Evaluating the current neuro-oncology capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A questionnaire-based survey",

abstract = "Background: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This project aimed to assess and map out the current neuro-oncology capacity in SSA, brain tumor registries, and biobanks. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey to gather data from healthcare professionals involved in CNS tumor care across SSA through the Society for Neuro-Oncology SSA (SNOSSA). The survey captured information on the availability of neuro-oncology practitioners, neuropathology, molecular diagnostics, cancer registries, and biobanking. Results: A total of 145 respondents representing 70 healthcare institutions across 22 countries participated. Of the 70 institutions, specialties included neurosurgery (89\%, 62/70), anatomic pathology (74\%, 52/70), and medical oncology (71\%, 50/70). For radiologic evaluation, 64\% (45/70) of responding institutions reported having both CT and MRI. Access to molecular testing through immunohistochemistry or next-generation sequencing was available in 46\% (32/70) of responding institutions. Multidisciplinary tumor boards were available for CNS cases in 86\% (60/70) of responding institutions. Brain tumor-specific registries were available in 29\% (20/70) of responding institutions, and 10\% (7/70) maintained brain tumor biorepositories. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that SSA has substantial potential in neuro-oncology care practice capacity and facilities. The most significant gaps were in neuropathology and molecular testing, which makes widespread implementation of the WHO 2021 diagnosis challenging. Understanding the prevalence of CNS tumor subtypes in SSA is difficult due to the low number of brain tumor registries and biobanks.",

keywords = "Sub-Saharan Africa, brain tumors, central nervous system, neuro-oncology",

author = "Francis Zerd and Odukoya, \{Lateef A.\} and Beverly Cheserem and Kwadwo Darko and Ghomsi, \{Nathalie C.\} and Kabare, \{Gloria S.\} and Kamson, \{David O.\} and Eckel-Passow, \{Jeanette E.\} and Jenkins, \{Robert B.\} and Paul Decker and Henry Llewellyn and Kitange, \{Gaspar J.\} and Akinjo, \{Andrea O.\} and Badmos, \{Kabir B.\} and Yevudza, \{W. Elorm\} and Olufemi Bankole and Idowu, \{Olufemi E.\} and Ayanlaja, \{Abiola Abdulrahman\} and Claire Karekezi and Elias Edrick and Chukwuyem Ekhator and Katasi, \{Victoria M.\} and Lachance, \{Daniel H.\} and Jason Huse and Margreth Magambo and Eyerusalem Banti and Michael Magoha and Advera Ngaiza and Nyalundja, \{Arsene D.\} and Dominique Higgins and Minda Okemwa and Lawrence Osei-Tutu and Bernard Petershie and Minja, \{Frank J.\} and Anunobi, \{Charles C.\} and Etame, \{Arnold B.\} and Liadi Tiamiyu and Gankpe, \{Gbetoho Fortun{\'e}\} and Kwikima, \{Ugumba Mussa\} and Kashaigili Heronima and Kristin Schroeder and Thierry Muanza and Brown, \{Desmond A.\} and Alan Davidson and Ekokobe Fonkem and Teddy Totimeh and James Balogun",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2025. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact [email protected] for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact [email protected].",

year = "2026",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1093/nop/npaf107",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "13",

pages = "537--548",

journal = "Neuro-Oncology Practice",

issn = "2054-2577",

publisher = "Oxford University Press",

number = "3",

}

Zerd, F, Odukoya, LA, Cheserem, B, Darko, K, Ghomsi, NC, Kabare, GS, Kamson, DO, Eckel-Passow, JE, Jenkins, RB, Decker, P, Llewellyn, H, Kitange, GJ, Akinjo, AO, Badmos, KB, Yevudza, WE, Bankole, O, Idowu, OE, Ayanlaja, AA, Karekezi, C, Edrick, E, Ekhator, C, Katasi, VM, Lachance, DH, Huse, J, Magambo, M, Banti, E, Magoha, M, Ngaiza, A, Nyalundja, AD, Higgins, D, Okemwa, M, Osei-Tutu, L, Petershie, B, Minja, FJ, Anunobi, CC, Etame, AB, Tiamiyu, L, Gankpe, GF, Kwikima, UM, Heronima, K, Schroeder, K, Muanza, T, Brown, DA, Davidson, A, Fonkem, E, Totimeh, T & Balogun, J 2026, 'Evaluating the current neuro-oncology capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A questionnaire-based survey', Neuro-Oncology Practice, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 537-548. https://doi.org/10.1093/nop/npaf107

TY - JOUR

T1 - Evaluating the current neuro-oncology capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa

T2 - A questionnaire-based survey

AU - Zerd, Francis

AU - Odukoya, Lateef A.

AU - Cheserem, Beverly

AU - Darko, Kwadwo

AU - Ghomsi, Nathalie C.

AU - Kabare, Gloria S.

AU - Kamson, David O.

AU - Eckel-Passow, Jeanette E.

AU - Jenkins, Robert B.

AU - Decker, Paul

AU - Llewellyn, Henry

AU - Kitange, Gaspar J.

AU - Akinjo, Andrea O.

AU - Badmos, Kabir B.

AU - Yevudza, W. Elorm

AU - Bankole, Olufemi

AU - Idowu, Olufemi E.

AU - Ayanlaja, Abiola Abdulrahman

AU - Karekezi, Claire

AU - Edrick, Elias

AU - Ekhator, Chukwuyem

AU - Katasi, Victoria M.

AU - Lachance, Daniel H.

AU - Huse, Jason

AU - Magambo, Margreth

AU - Banti, Eyerusalem

AU - Magoha, Michael

AU - Ngaiza, Advera

AU - Nyalundja, Arsene D.

AU - Higgins, Dominique

AU - Okemwa, Minda

AU - Osei-Tutu, Lawrence

AU - Petershie, Bernard

AU - Minja, Frank J.

AU - Anunobi, Charles C.

AU - Etame, Arnold B.

AU - Tiamiyu, Liadi

AU - Gankpe, Gbetoho Fortuné

AU - Kwikima, Ugumba Mussa

AU - Heronima, Kashaigili

AU - Schroeder, Kristin

AU - Muanza, Thierry

AU - Brown, Desmond A.

AU - Davidson, Alan

AU - Fonkem, Ekokobe

AU - Totimeh, Teddy

AU - Balogun, James

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact [email protected] for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact [email protected].

PY - 2026/6

Y1 - 2026/6

N2 - Background: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This project aimed to assess and map out the current neuro-oncology capacity in SSA, brain tumor registries, and biobanks. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey to gather data from healthcare professionals involved in CNS tumor care across SSA through the Society for Neuro-Oncology SSA (SNOSSA). The survey captured information on the availability of neuro-oncology practitioners, neuropathology, molecular diagnostics, cancer registries, and biobanking. Results: A total of 145 respondents representing 70 healthcare institutions across 22 countries participated. Of the 70 institutions, specialties included neurosurgery (89%, 62/70), anatomic pathology (74%, 52/70), and medical oncology (71%, 50/70). For radiologic evaluation, 64% (45/70) of responding institutions reported having both CT and MRI. Access to molecular testing through immunohistochemistry or next-generation sequencing was available in 46% (32/70) of responding institutions. Multidisciplinary tumor boards were available for CNS cases in 86% (60/70) of responding institutions. Brain tumor-specific registries were available in 29% (20/70) of responding institutions, and 10% (7/70) maintained brain tumor biorepositories. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that SSA has substantial potential in neuro-oncology care practice capacity and facilities. The most significant gaps were in neuropathology and molecular testing, which makes widespread implementation of the WHO 2021 diagnosis challenging. Understanding the prevalence of CNS tumor subtypes in SSA is difficult due to the low number of brain tumor registries and biobanks.

AB - Background: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This project aimed to assess and map out the current neuro-oncology capacity in SSA, brain tumor registries, and biobanks. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey to gather data from healthcare professionals involved in CNS tumor care across SSA through the Society for Neuro-Oncology SSA (SNOSSA). The survey captured information on the availability of neuro-oncology practitioners, neuropathology, molecular diagnostics, cancer registries, and biobanking. Results: A total of 145 respondents representing 70 healthcare institutions across 22 countries participated. Of the 70 institutions, specialties included neurosurgery (89%, 62/70), anatomic pathology (74%, 52/70), and medical oncology (71%, 50/70). For radiologic evaluation, 64% (45/70) of responding institutions reported having both CT and MRI. Access to molecular testing through immunohistochemistry or next-generation sequencing was available in 46% (32/70) of responding institutions. Multidisciplinary tumor boards were available for CNS cases in 86% (60/70) of responding institutions. Brain tumor-specific registries were available in 29% (20/70) of responding institutions, and 10% (7/70) maintained brain tumor biorepositories. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that SSA has substantial potential in neuro-oncology care practice capacity and facilities. The most significant gaps were in neuropathology and molecular testing, which makes widespread implementation of the WHO 2021 diagnosis challenging. Understanding the prevalence of CNS tumor subtypes in SSA is difficult due to the low number of brain tumor registries and biobanks.

KW - Sub-Saharan Africa

KW - brain tumors

KW - central nervous system

KW - neuro-oncology

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031190088

U2 - 10.1093/nop/npaf107

DO - 10.1093/nop/npaf107

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105031190088

SN - 2054-2577

VL - 13

SP - 537

EP - 548

JO - Neuro-Oncology Practice

JF - Neuro-Oncology Practice

IS - 3

ER -

Evaluating the current neuro-oncology capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A questionnaire-based survey

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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