Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Management of Calvarial Tumors: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Background/Objectives: Calvarial tumors form a heterogeneous group of benign and malignant lesions, and institutional series remain limited, particularly from Türkiye. This study aimed to describe the clinical, radiological, histopathological, and surgical features and histology-specific outcomes of calvarial tumors treated at a single neurosurgical center.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients who underwent surgery for histopathologically confirmed tumors and tumor-like lesions of the cranial vault between 2019 and 2024. Clinical, imaging, histopathological, surgical, and follow-up data were analyzed.

Results

The cohort comprised 24 men and 18 women (mean age 42.6 ± 15.3 years; range 7–78). A palpable mass was the most common complaint (64%), and the frontal bone was the most common site (38%). Lesions were benign in 25 patients (60%, including 6 with fibrous dysplasia) and malignant in 17 (40%); osteoma and metastasis were the leading diagnoses. Malignant tumors were larger and had a shorter symptom duration than benign lesions. Total resection was achieved in 36 patients (86%). During a mean follow-up of 32 months, recurrence occurred in 8% (95% CI 2–25%) of benign and 35% (95% CI 17–59%) of malignant tumors (p = 0.045); 8 recurrences occurred after total resection.