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. 2010 Aug;48(2):145-52.
doi: 10.3340/jkns.2010.48.2.145. Epub 2010 Aug 31.

Epidemiology of primary brain and central nervous system tumors in Korea

Chang-Hyun Lee  1 , Kyu-Won Jung, Heon Yoo, Sohee Park, Seung Hoon Lee
Affiliations

Epidemiology of primary brain and central nervous system tumors in Korea

Chang-Hyun Lee et al. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2010 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this report is to provide accurate nationwide epidemiologic data on primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors in Korea. Despite its importance, there are no accurate statistics on primary CNS tumors in Korea. We analyzed primary CNS tumors diagnosed in 2005 from the nationwide registry.

Methods: Data on primary CNS tumors diagnosed in 2005 were collected from the Korean Central Cancer Registry and the Korean Brain Tumor Society. Crude and age-standardized rates were calculated in terms of gender, age, and histological type. Tumors of uncertain histology were investigated individually at the corresponding hospitals and had their diagnoses confirmed.

Results: A total of 5,692 patients diagnosed with primary CNS tumors in 2005 were included in this study. CNS tumors occurred in females more often than in males (female to male, 1.43 : 1). The most common tumor was meningioma (31.2%). Glioblastoma accounted for 30.7% of all gliomas, and 19.3% of all malignant primary CNS tumors. In children under 19 years of age, both germ cell tumor and embryonal/primitive/medulloblastoma were the most common tumors.

Conclusion: This article is the first nationwide primary CNS tumor epidemiology report in Korea. Data from this study should provide valuable information regarding the understanding of primary CNS tumors epidemiology in Korea.

Keywords: Brain; Central nervous system; Epidemiology; Korea; Registry; Tumor.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of primary CNS tumors according to sex and ICD-O-3 tumor behavior.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of all CNS tumors according to the originating site.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Distribution of primary CNS tumors according to age and selected histology.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Distribution of all primary CNS tumors according to the originating site and histology.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Incidence according to sex and histology.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Distribution of primary CNS tumors according to the originating site and histology in children.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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