Aphasia in Patients with Intracranial Tumors

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that affects language comprehension and production, typically occurring after brain damage. It is a frequent clinical manifestation of both benign and malignant brain tumors, particularly when lesions are localized in language-dominant areas.

To assess the prevalence and characterize the types of aphasia in patients with intracranial tumors, emphasizing its clinical significance and the importance of early speech-language evaluation.

This prospective study included patients with confirmed brain tumors diagnosed through neuroimaging (CT or MRI of the neurocranium), who were hospitalized at the Clinic of Neurosurgery, University Clinical Center Tuzla, over a one-year period. Patients with pre-existing aphasia of any etiology, as well as those who had not acquired reading and writing skills, were excluded. All assessments were performed prior to surgical intervention using the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination.

Aphasia was diagnosed in 25 patients (27.5%). The most common type was anomic aphasia in 10 patients (40%), followed by Broca's aphasia in 7 patients (28%), transcortical motor aphasia in 3 patients (12%), and transcortical sensory aphasia in 1 patient (4%). The highest number of patients with aphasia had tumors localized in the left temporal lobe, followed by the parietal and temporoparietal regions.

Aphasia is a common clinical finding in patients with intracranial tumors, affecting more than one-quarter of the studied population. The distribution of aphasia types is consistent with the localization of lesions in language-dominant areas, particularly the left temporal lobe. Early recognition and detailed speech-language assessment are essential for timely intervention, rehabilitation planning, and optimizing functional outcomes.