Age-incidence patterns of primary CNS tumors in children, adolescents, and adults in England

Abstract

Around 25% of all tumors in those 0-14 years of age and 9% in those 15-24 years of age involve the CNS. They are the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in both age groups. In adults 25-84 years of age, the proportion of CNS tumors is 2%; 5-year overall survival is 10%-15%; and survivors have considerable morbidity. Comprehensive up-to-date population-based incidence data on these tumors are lacking. We present incidence rates for primary CNS tumors based on data derived from the high-quality national cancer registration system in England. A total of 54,336 CNS tumors of malignant, benign, and uncertain behavior were registered across the whole of England from 1995 through 2003. The age-standardized rates for all ages (0-84 years) was 9.21 per 100,000 person-years. This is higher than previously reported for England because it includes nonmalignant CNS tumors and hence gives a more accurate picture of burden of disease. The age-standardized rates for those 0-14 years of age, 15-24 years of age, and 25-84 years of age were 3.56, 3.26, and 14.57 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. In this article, we describe the changing patterns in the epidemiology of primary CNS tumors in these three age groups with respect to sex, tumor behavior, and histology using the current WHO classification. This information will provide a reference for future studies nationally and internationally and make comparisons relevant and meaningful.

Fig. 1.

Age- and sex-specific incidence rates of primary CNS tumors: England, 1995–2003.

Fig. 2.

Distribution of primary CNS tumors by behavior (low-grade astrocytoma, WHO grade I and II; high-grade astrocytoma, WHO grade III and IV): England, 1995–2003.

Fig. 3.

Distribution of primary CNS tumors by site: England, 1995–2003.

Fig. 4.

Distribution of primary CNS tumors by main histology groups: England, 1995–2003.