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. 2006 Jan;8(1):1-11.
doi: 10.1215/S1522851704001097.

Descriptive epidemiology of vestibular schwannomas

Jennifer M Propp  1 , Bridget J McCarthy, Faith G Davis, Susan Preston-Martin
Affiliations

Descriptive epidemiology of vestibular schwannomas

Jennifer M Propp et al. Neuro Oncol. 2006 Jan.

Abstract

Vestibular schwannomas, commonly termed acoustic neuromas, arise from the vestibular branch of the eighth cranial nerve (acoustic nerve) and are benign, slow-growing brain tumors that negatively impact patient quality of life. They are thought to account for the majority of intracranial nerve sheath tumors. To describe incidence rate patterns and trends of primary nerve sheath tumors of the brain/CNS and the subset of vestibular schwannomas in two population-based incidence registries, data were obtained from 11 Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) collaborating state registries and the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program (LACCSP) (1975-1998). Average annual incidence rates were tabulated by age, gender, race, year, and region and were age-adjusted to the year 2000 U.S. standard population. Multiplicative Poisson regression models were used to compare trends in primary nerve sheath tumors of the brain/CNS overall and in subgroups, including vestibular schwannomas, controlling for age, gender, race, microscopic confirmation, and region. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify any sharp changes in incidence over time. The overall incidence of primary nerve sheath tumors of the brain/CNS was 1.1 per 100,000 person-years (CBTRUS, 1995-1999 and LACCSP, 1995-1998). The incidence of vestibular schwannomas was similar for both data sets: 0.6 per 100,000 person-years (CBTRUS, 1995-1999) and 0.8 per 100,000 person-years (LACCSP, 1995-1998). Moreover, the incidence of primary nerve sheath tumors of the brain/CNS overall (CBTRUS, 1985-1999 and LACCSP, 1975-1998) and of vestibular schwannomas (CBTRUS, 1992-1999 and LACCSP, 1992-1998) increased over time. However, the incidence of benign schwannomas in sites other than the acoustic nerve either decreased (CBTRUS, 1992-1999) or experienced no significant change (LACCSP, 1992-1998). While improvements in diagnosis and reporting may explain some of these trends, further consideration of potential etiologic factors may be warranted.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Average annual incidence rates by age at diagnosis, CBTRUS, years 1995–1999, and LACCSP, years 1995–1998.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Incidence rates by calendar year, CBTRUS, years 1985–1999.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Incidence rates by calendar year, LACCSP, years 1975–1998.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. CBTRUS, Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (1998) 1997 Annual Report. Chicago, Ill.: Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States.
    1. CBTRUS, Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (2002–2003) Primary Brain Tumors in the United States: Statistical Report, 1995–1999. Chicago, Ill.: Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States.
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