Geographical variation in malignant and benign/borderline brain and CNS tumor incidence: a comparison between a high-income and a middle-income country

Abstract

Purpose There is large variability in reported incidence rates of primary brain/CNS tumors across the world, with mostly higher rates in higher-income countries. The aim was to compare malignant and benign brain/CNS tumor incidence between Zurich (Switzerland), a high-income country, and Georgia, a lower middle-income country. Methods For the period March 2009 to February 2012, we extracted the following tumors based on topography according to ICD-O3: C70.0–C72.9, and C75.1 (pituitary gland). Data were categorized into histology groups based on the WHO 2007 histological classification. Age-standardized rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated by subgroups. Results We included 1104 and 1476 cases of primary brain/CNS tumors for Zurich and Georgia, respectively. Mean age of patients was significantly lower in Georgia compared to Zurich (50.0 versus 58.3 years). Overall age-standardized incidence rates for malignant and benign brain/CNS tumors were 10.5 (95% CI 9.9–11.0) for Georgia and 23.3 (95% CI 21.9–24.7) for Zurich with a ratio of benign to malignant tumors of 1.656 for Georgia and 1.946 for Zurich. The most frequent histology types were meningiomas in both regions, followed by glioblastomas in Zurich, but pituitary tumors in Georgia. Conclusion Age-adjusted incidence rates of brain/CNS tumors were considerably higher in Zurich compared to Georgia, both for benign and malignant tumors, which is in line with other studies reporting higher rates in high-income than in low- and middle-income countries. The frequency distribution may be related to differences in diagnosing techniques and the population age structure.

High costs, low quality of life, reduced survival, and room for improving treatment: an analysis of burden and unmet needs in glioma

“…Gliomas occur relatively infrequently, compared with other cancers, and their incidence exhibits some variation between countries and, in the US, counties ( 182 , 183 ). Differences in incidence between countries are partly due to different capacities available for case ascertainment and reporting, while differences in survival and mortality likely also reflect differences in healthcare system performance and access ( 183 , 184 ).…”

“…Gliomas occur relatively infrequently, compared with other cancers, and their incidence exhibits some variation between countries and, in the US, counties (182,183). Differences in incidence between countries are partly due to different capacities available for case ascertainment and reporting, while differences in survival and mortality likely also reflect differences in healthcare system performance and access (183,184). Recent trends in particular, which have indicated increases, for example, of glioblastoma incidence, have been attributed to improvements in diagnostic methods such as neuroimaging, including within and between countries (184)(185)(186).…”

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and propensity score matching analysis of postoperative radiotherapy for non‐malignant meningioma: A retrospective cohort study

“…Meningiomas are primary intracranial tumors, with majority of them being benign. Non‐malignant meningiomas (NMMs) are the most common histological type, accounting for more than half of the primary brain and central nervous systems 1 . Following the enactment of the Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act, there has been increased research on NMMs 2 .…”

“…Non-malignant meningiomas (NMMs) are the most common histological type, accounting for more than half of the primary brain and central nervous systems. 1 Following the enactment of the Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act, there has been increased research on NMMs. 2 NMMs cause a series of damage by compressing brain tissues in various anatomical regions, which vary patient-to-patient.…”

Experience of Brain Tumors in Tertiary Care Hospital

“…Epidemiology and outcome for brain tumors varies by histologic type of tumor, age at time of diagnosis, gender and different races or ethnicities 6 . There is a huge difference in occurrence of primary brain tumors in developed and non-developed countries; with high rates in the developed world 7 . Diagnosis of brain tumors is done by complete history, relevant physical examination, appropriate laboratory and radiological investigations.…”