Brain tumors are a significant health concern affecting individuals of all ages. Understanding how brain tumor diagnosis varies across different age groups is crucial for effective awareness, research, and patient care. This article delves into key statistics and trends related to Brain Tumor Diagnosis By Age, providing a comprehensive overview based on the latest data.
Brain Tumor Diagnosis in Children (0-14 Years)
Brain tumors, while relatively rare compared to adult diagnoses, represent the most commonly diagnosed solid cancer in children aged 0-14 years and are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this age group. Approximately 3.9% of all brain tumor diagnoses occur in this young population. In 2023, an estimated 3,920 new cases of primary childhood brain tumors are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. Despite being a leading cause of childhood cancer mortality, the five-year relative survival rate for all primary childhood brain tumors is encouraging at 83.1%. For malignant tumors within this group, the five-year survival rate is 75.6%, highlighting the generally positive prognosis compared to some adult brain tumors.
The most prevalent types of brain tumors diagnosed in children aged 0-14 are pilocytic astrocytomas (18.7%), other gliomas (15.3%), and embryonal tumors (12.2%). Within embryonal tumors, medulloblastomas are the most common subtype (68.3%), followed by atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) (17.2%). Gliomas, overall, account for nearly half (49.4%) of all tumors diagnosed in this young age demographic.
Brain Tumor Diagnosis in Adolescents (15-19 Years)
Extending the age range to include adolescents (0-19 years), approximately 5.7% of all primary brain tumors are diagnosed in this pediatric and adolescent population. Adolescents aged 15-19 years account for about 1.7% of all brain tumor diagnoses. Interestingly, infants under one year old have the highest incidence rate of brain tumors compared to other children and adolescents in the 0-19 age bracket. In 2023, an estimated 5,230 new cases of primary brain tumors are expected in children and adolescents in the U.S. Brain tumors are also the most common cancer in adolescents aged 15-19 in the U.S., and the leading cause of cancer-related death in individuals aged 0-19 years.
The five-year relative survival rate for primary pediatric brain tumors (0-19 years) is 83.9%, and for malignant tumors, it remains at 75.6%. AT/RT and high-grade gliomas are associated with the lowest survival rates in this group, while pilocytic astrocytomas have the highest survival rates. Survival rates tend to improve with increasing age at diagnosis within this pediatric group, with infants under one year having the poorest prognosis. The most common tumor types in children and adolescents (0-19 years) are pilocytic astrocytoma (15.3%), other gliomas (12.6%), and embryonal tumors (9.2%), with medulloblastoma being the most frequent embryonal tumor subtype (69.5%). Gliomas make up about 44.6% of tumors in this age group, with a lower proportion (27.9%) in the 15-19 year subset. Notably, tumors of the pituitary are the most common in the 15-19 age group, accounting for 33.5% of diagnoses.
Brain Tumor Diagnosis in Young Adults (AYA, 15-39 Years)
The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) population, defined as ages 15-39, experiences approximately 14.3% of all primary brain tumor diagnoses. An estimated 11,660 new cases are expected in AYA patients in 2023. Brain tumors rank as the second most common cancer overall in individuals aged 15-39 and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this age group. Despite this, the five-year relative survival rate for AYA patients diagnosed with a primary brain tumor is relatively high at 90.9%. For malignant tumors in this group, the rate is 71.7%, and for non-malignant tumors, it is very favorable at 98.3%.
The most common primary brain tumors in the AYA population are pituitary tumors (36.0%), meningiomas (15.9%), and nerve sheath tumors (8.6%). Gliomas account for approximately 24.8% of all primary AYA brain tumors but a significantly higher proportion (82.4%) of malignant tumors within this age group. AYA patients tend to have better relative survival rates compared to adults older than 40 for all histopathologic types. However, while one-year survival is often better for AYA compared to children, five and ten-year survival rates are generally higher for children than AYA.
Brain Tumor Diagnosis in Adults (40+ Years)
The majority of primary brain tumors, approximately 81.7%, occur in the adult population (40+ years). In 2023, an estimated 79,340 adults aged 40 and above are expected to be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor in the U.S. Brain tumors are the seventh most common tumor type overall and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death among individuals aged 40 and older. For adults aged 20+, the incidence rate of primary brain tumors is highest among those aged 85 and above.
The five-year relative survival rate for adults diagnosed with a primary brain tumor is 72.5%. For those aged 40+, the five-year survival rate is considerably lower for malignant tumors at 21%, but significantly higher for non-malignant tumors at 90.3%. The most common primary brain tumor types in adults are meningiomas (46.1%), glioblastoma (16.4%), and pituitary tumors (14.5%). The highest number of new cases in 2023 is predicted to be in individuals aged 65 and older. Older adults (40+ years) generally experience poorer survival rates compared to children (0-14 years) across nearly all primary brain tumor types. The median age at diagnosis for a primary brain tumor overall is 61 years.
Overall Brain Tumor Statistics and Trends
It’s estimated that one million Americans are currently living with a primary brain tumor. Approximately 72% of all brain tumors are benign, while 28% are malignant. Brain tumors are slightly more common in females, with approximately 59% of diagnoses occurring in females and 41% in males. In 2023, an estimated 94,390 people will receive a new primary brain tumor diagnosis, with 67,440 being non-malignant and 26,940 being malignant. Non-malignant meningiomas are the most common type of non-malignant brain tumor, and glioblastoma is the most common malignant type.
The overall five-year relative survival rate for all patients with primary brain tumors is 76%. However, survival rates are strongly influenced by age at diagnosis and tumor type, generally decreasing with age. For non-malignant tumors, the average five-year survival rate is 91.8%, while for malignant tumors, it’s 35.7%. Glioblastoma, the most common malignant tumor, has a particularly poor five-year survival rate of only 6.9% and a median survival of just 8 months. It is estimated that 18,990 people will die from malignant brain tumors in 2023, making brain cancer the 10th leading cause of cancer death for both males and females across all age groups.
Race, Sex, and Brain Tumor Diagnosis
Incidence rates for brain tumors vary across racial and ethnic groups. Black individuals have slightly higher overall incidence rates of primary brain tumors compared to White, Asian or Pacific Islander (APIA), and American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) populations. Non-malignant brain tumor incidence is highest in Black individuals, while malignant brain tumor incidence is highest in White individuals. Specifically, White individuals have significantly higher rates of glioblastoma and other astrocytomas, embryonal tumors, and nerve sheath tumors, while Black individuals have higher rates of meningioma and pituitary tumors. Non-Hispanic individuals have a higher overall incidence of brain tumors compared to Hispanic individuals. Survival outcomes also differ, with Black, non-Hispanic individuals generally experiencing poorer survival compared to White, non-Hispanic individuals, except for certain tumor types like glioblastoma.
Brain tumor incidence also differs by sex. Overall, brain tumors are more common in females (58.7% of diagnoses). Non-malignant tumors are significantly more frequent in females (64.4%), while malignant tumors are slightly more common in males (55.8%). Glioblastoma is more prevalent in males, while meningioma is more common in females. Males generally have higher mortality rates from malignant brain tumors and worse survival outcomes, with exceptions for certain tumor types like glioblastoma.
Brain Tumor Classification and Treatment
Primary brain tumors are classified based on the WHO grading system (Grade 1-4), reflecting their aggressiveness. Grade 1 tumors are the least aggressive, and Grade 4 (like glioblastoma) are the most aggressive. Despite over 100 types of brain tumors, only a limited number of treatments have been approved, and none significantly extend survival beyond two years on average or are considered curative. Surgery and radiation remain standard treatments, and clinical trials are often recommended for patients. Survival rates for brain tumor patients have not significantly improved in the last 45 years, despite advancements in other cancer treatments.
Metastatic Brain Tumors
It’s important to differentiate primary brain tumors from metastatic brain tumors (brain metastases), which are secondary tumors that spread to the brain from cancers elsewhere in the body. Metastatic brain tumors are five times more common than primary brain tumors. An estimated 70,000-200,000 people are diagnosed with brain metastases annually. Virtually any cancer can metastasize to the brain, with melanoma, lung, breast, renal, and colorectal cancers being common sources.
Conclusion
Understanding brain tumor diagnosis by age is critical for targeted research, improved diagnostic approaches, and tailored patient care. While brain tumors present challenges across all age groups, the specific types, prevalence, and survival rates vary significantly with age. Continued research and awareness are essential to improve outcomes for individuals affected by brain tumors at every stage of life. For more detailed information and resources, refer to the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS) and other reputable organizations dedicated to brain tumor research and support.
References
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